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AT PINEY RIDGE 

A PLAY OF TENNESEE LIFE 
IN FOUR ACTS 



DAVID K. HIGGINS 



Copyright 1906, by 

DAVID K. HIGdINS 

All Rights Reserved 



S'l lip and piinterl in the United States. 

Publislied December, 1906. 

All acting rights, both professional and amateur, are 
reserved by David K. Higgins. Performances forbidden 
and right of representation reserved. Application for the 
right of performing this piece must be made to him. 
Any piracy or infringement will be prosecuted in accord- 
ance with the penalties provided by the United States 
Statutes : — 

■'Sec. 4966. — Any person publicly performing or repre- 
senting any dramatic or musical composition, for which 
e )pyright lias been obtained, without the consent of the 
proprietor of the said dramatic or musical composition, 
or liis heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages there- 
for, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such 
sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and 
fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the 
Couit shall appear to be just. If the unlawful perform- 
ance and representation be willful and for profit, such 
person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and 
upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 
one year." — U. S. Revised Statutes, Title 60, Chap. 3. 



^f 



3^ 






Characters. 

General Deertng, President of the Bank of Tennessee. 

Mark Briarson, Cashier of the Bank of Tennessee. 

Major Jartree, a Teller of the Bank. 

Israel, a relic of tlie '*ole days". 

Jack Rose, from Piney Ridge. 

Zeb Lane, a Mountaineer. 

Rube Holler, l 

SiLE Bates, > Friends of the l^ane P^amily. 

8am Long, ) 

Abe Moonlight, a Darkey Swain.. 

AzALiE Deering, the General's Dauglitei". 

Chlotilda Beverly, a Friend of Azalie. 

Dagmar, an Octoroon. 

Susannah, a "A^aller Gal". 

Mammy Summers, her Mother. 

Mrs. Lane, Zel)'s Wife. 

'Cindy Lane, the Outcast of Piney Ridge. 

The Scenes are laid in the suburbs of Chattanooga, Tennes- 
see, and the adjacent mountains al)out the year 1885. 

'ACT I. Porch and Garden of Gen'l Deering 's Plantation 
— Late Summer. 

ACT JI. A room in Gen'l Deering 's house — The Spring- 
Following. 

ACT III. In the Tennessee Mountains — Sunday at Piney 

Ridge. 
ACT IV. A room in the old Briarson Mansion — The last 

night of the year. 



^^AT PINEY RIDGE." 



ACT I. 

SoENE: Porch of (jencral Deering's House (R). Vieiv of 
garden. Prae. Whidoiv {R) ihrough irhieh view of 
Halluay — Large Door opening onto Porch through 
ivhicJi Characters make entrances and exists (R). 
Large Red Rose Bush in full bloom L. C. House 
and Porch covered with fiowering riucs. — Dense 
foliage iu garden. House and Porch taking up half 
(R) — of stage — two steps up to floor of porch — 
Hedge row across in 3. Summer southern land- 
scape on drop. Rustic bench in frojit of Rose Bush 
(L. C). 
Music at Rise: ''Mg Tennessee Home." 

(About Sunset — Lights up — Red Medium — tui'us to dusk 
and to Moonlight at cues.) 

At Rise. 
(Enter Israel from house to porch with decanter.) (R.) 

Mammy. (Offstage R 3.) 
Susannah ! 

Susannah. (Off stage R. 1.) 
Yas, ma'am. 

Mammy. 
You heah me. 

Susannah. 
No, ma'am. Oome seben ; come 'leben. 

Israel (Speaking off R. on i)orch.) 
Go long out o' dah ; shootin' dem craps. 

Susannah. 
Yah, yah, yah; dat's mine — dat's mine — I won — I won. 
(Laughs; runs on R. I E.) 

Israel. 
What you lieen doin', Susannah? (On porch.) 

Susannah. (C.) 
Been a-shootin' craps with dat sassy little nigger, Gabriel. 

Israel. 
You's de biggest tom-boy I ever see'd, Susannah. 

Susannah. 
Yah, yah, yah; Gabriel's mammy done give him lot o' 
pennies fob to buy popcohn at de circus. Now, I's gwine to 
eat all pooh little Gabriel's pop-cohn myse'f. I's gwine to 
de circus to-night witli mah beau. (X. L. C.) 

Israel. 
'Pears to me lak a circus boun' to set de whole cullud 
l»op'lation crazy. 



Susannah (C). 
I's gwiiie to 1)1' civeus gal one o' deso Hue days, Uiiele 
Israel. 

ISEAEL. 

Slio ! Wliat yon gwine 'to do in de circns? ((SV/rrr/.sf/r in- 
terest.) 

Susannah. 
I's gwine to be de Yallali Qneen ob de arena! Yes-sali; 
an' stan' np on de boss's back an' ride ronn' an' ronn' an' 
roun' de ring. (Imitates circus ridinfj in circle in ('.) 

Israel. 
Look lieab, Gal, don't you let de (irin'ral cotcli yon ebasin' 
dat gray colt o' bis'n round de pasture, tryin' to play dat 
circus queen, or lie'll ride you roun' an' roun', you heali me I 
Wliat you want in dat liottle \ 

Susannah {taking ftask from pocket). 
Mammy, sbe say, you want to gib ber litt'e drap fob ber 
rbeumatiz. {At foot of porch.) 

Israel {going to table on porch, <if ranging it). 
G'long; wbat yo' ole mammy want ob likeb;' (lji(|uor.) 

Susannah. 
Ob, nuffin'; jes' to drink. Gome on, 1 know de Gineral 
won't care, 

Israel. 
De Gin'ral ordab me to ])lace dis li(iuid 'fresbment out 
beab fob comp'ny fo'ks; you 's})ec I'se gwine to pilfer de 
Gin 'ra I's bes' wbiskev {pours out at ass full) fob you? 
{Drinks). 

Susannah. 
Pilfer it fob you 'self. 

Israel. 
G'long. Fo'ce ob babit wid me. Hab to tes' it to mak' 
sure dat I got de com})'ny bottle. 

Susannah. 
Mammy needs it. Mammy's got to bab it. {Up one step.) 

Israel. 
You mamuty am outen dat kitcben fob to cook an' not fob 
to drink 'toxicatin' likers. I refuse to encourage inebriatioji 
m de kitchen. 

Susannah {down stage B. C. angry). 
Den you bain't gwine to gib me little drap! 

Israel. 
Didn't I te'l you no! G'long, gal. g'long wid you. T got 
no time to stan' beab swappin' lies wid you, g'long. 

Susannah. 
G'long youse'f, you mean, ole, stingy ole, black stove-pii)e. 
{Eoc'its hack of house R. U. E.) 

Israel. 
G'long. Dat's de sassiest gal I ever see. It's in de blood 



1 I'oekoii, All (Iciii vailali i>,als am sassy. {Exit into house, 
H.) 

Susannah {comes doirn; steals up on porch; is aJioiil 
to fill bottle from decanter). 
Got to git a little drap or Mammy '11 git mad, an' den I 
won't git to go to dat circus to-night. {Bus.) {Filling flask 
from bottle.) 

{Enter Briarso)i {L. o) during speech; seizes Susannah, 
around waist at foot of steps, corner of porch R.) 

Beiakson. 
Susannah ! 

Susannah. 
Oh, Lordy! 

Makk. 
I've caught you I {Bus — she striiggling in vain to get 
au-ay during following.) 

Susannah. 
Youse hurtin' me, Mistah Briarson. 

Mark. 
Don't you know 1 could send you to jail? 

Susannah. 
Jes' foil a little drap like dat"? 

Maek. 
Yes, and I'd do it, too, only you're so devilish pretty. 

Susannah {breaks away a bit). 
You stop dat — Imggin' me so tight! 

Mark. 
Not so fast, my yellow bird. 

{Enter Dagmar, L. She is an actoroon about forty-five 
years of age; large, magnificent type of woman; dresses in 
cheap but showy attire; NOT the conventional turbaned slave 
uoman.) 

Dagmar. 
Heah! Heah ! What you doin'? (L.) 
Mark {still holding Susan). 

Hello, Dagmar 

Dagmar. 
Shame on you, Mark Briarson. 

Mark. 
I'm not hurting her. 

Dagmar. 
You'se a huggin' her a little too hard for res]iecta])ility. 

Mark. 
I'll hold her til! the General comes. 

Dagmar. 
'Spose de Gineral's daughter comes? 

Mark. 
Bah! Bah! {Releases Susannah.) 

Susan {running off' ciuickhj to R., fhen turning). 
Boo! (Exit U. IE.) 



6 

(Dagviar and Mark converse at corner of pore]). Site he- 
low.) 

Dagmar. 
I see yoii |)ass de house an' T follow yoii. Wlia' yon been 
dese three weeks"? 

Mark {coming down to R. C). 
U]) in the mountains, hunting and fishing. 

Dagmar {C). 
Huntin' huh? What you find up dali in de mountains — 
at Piney Ridge— huh! 

Mark. 
T found him. {Loir; looking around.) 

Dagmar. 
What I tole you? x\n' de name? What's de name? 

Mark. 
Jack Rose. 

Dagmar. 
Rose"? Dat am de name of de fambly whar T leave de 
chile. You b'lieve me now? 

Mark. 
Hush. {Looks around cantiouMg.) 

Dagmar. 
Dah's nol)ody widin earshot. {Ahriiptlg.) Gimme ten 
dollahs. 

Mark {giring her the moneg). 
We must be careful. 

Dagmar. 
Cahful — why, I've been waitin' for over twenty years fob 
you to grow up an' lie a man, befoh I'd dare to tell you who 
your mother was. C^ab'ful? Who owns dat big plantation 
'cross de way? Who's a gentleman, moving in de first cir- 
cles of society? Who's goin' to marry de Gineral's dau'tah? 
You is — youse rich, an' youse goin' to make me rich; you 
don't need to say careful to me; I'll do my part, see dat you 
does yours. 

Mark. 
I will. I will. But we must be on our guard. He's com- 
ing here this evening. 

Dagmar, 
You're safe, Honey. In dis worl' Fate rattles us all in 
her dice-box, an' we lies right whar we fahs. Sure's gospel 
Honey, he's never gwine to be nuthin' but plain Jack Rose 
and yuse bound to be Mr. Mark Briarson, Esquire, cashiei- 
o' the Bank of Tennessee. {Pockets money.) 

Israel {entering from house, R.). 
How do, Mr. Briarson. 

Mark. 
Hello, Israel. General home? 

Israel. 
He's in de house. 



Mark. 
And yoiu' Miss Azalie? ^ 

Israel. 
She out in de galiden. 

Mark {going up R. C). 
Tell the General I'll see him before I go. {E.rif C. off R. 
into garden.) 

Israel {loolmig after him). 
Yes, sah. {To Daginar) — It's evidential who de young 
gen 'men come to see. {Goes np.) 

Dag MAR. 
Reckon dat's a match, sure. {R. C.) 

Israel. 
Mark an' Azalie? I reckon. {Coming down L. C.) 
Dagmar {up steps of porch; aside, chuckling). 
I'll dance at dat weddin', sure enuff. {Speaking into open 
door, R.; suppressed hate.) That weddin' will be my day o' 
reckonin' with you. General Deering. I'll dance — I'll dance, 
for sure. 

Israel (L. C). 
Mv, Miss Azalie a heap too good for Mark. 

Dagmar (7?. C). 
Huh! {Turns on him.) I'd like to see de man any woman 
ain't a heap too good fob. 

Israel {adravcing to her, C). 
Spec' youse a thinkin' you'sef a heap too good fob me 
now. 

Dagmar (C*.). 
Fob you'? {ScorufuUg.) 

{Proudly.) (Jo way, niggali! (Jo dowii to de kitchen an' 
make love to dat queen o' spades — dat black widah — she's 
vouali gait and col ah. {Cross to L.) 

Israel {C). 
Now, Dagmar, you knows youse mab tubey rose. 

Dagmar (L. C, turns fiercely on him). 
You hush you mouth! Don't you dare to raise you' eyes 
to me! I'se a lady, I is. My ancestah was de iirst Gov'nah 
of Tennessee. Blue blood courses in my veins, an' don't you 
dare to imagine fob a minute dat a lady of my (|uality would 
condescend to notice a low-down black nigger like you! 
{Sireeps off' and exits L. IE.) 

Israel {standing C, looking after her). 
G'long, you lemon-faced old hag. {Turns.) I'd mah'ed 
dat wench twenty years ago if it hadn't been fob dat white 
blood in her. White blood spiles de niggah. {R. C.) {Susan- 
nah enters quick, R. 1 E.). 

Susannah. 
Israel ! 

Israel {startled). 
What dat? 



Susannah. 
You ole black .stove-i)ipe ! {Runs off' R.) 

Israel {hohhling after her). 
I'll stove-pipe you if I cotcli you. {Exit R. IE.) 
{Enter General Deering to porch from house R.; sits in 
chair on porch.) 

General. 
r like to sit out here on the porch. The air tastes good. 
{Takes out newspaper ; sits R. of table; reads.) 

{Susannah enters R. singing a southern ballad; finishes 
it at foot of porch ; General listening.) 

General. 
That's a pretty song, Susannah. 

Susan. 
I learned dat song 'specially foil you. Say, Marse Gin- 
eral, dah's a circus in town. (Foot of porch.) 

General. 
Circus, eh? 

Susan. 
Ilni huh. 

General (on porch). 
Say, "Yes, sir"! 

Susan (belou-). 
Um— -yas, sah. 

General. 
You want to go? 

Susan. 
Uni — (puts Jnuid orer month) yas sah- wid luali Ijcau. 

(lENERAL. 

Well, here's some pennies for you. 

Susan. 
Youse a gen 'men, Alarse Gineral. 

General {handling silver which he has tahoi from his 
pocket). 
I'm going to give you five dimes. 

Susan {cage rig). 
Um huh. {Holding out hand.) 

General {severelg). 
I'm going to give you four dimes. 

Susan {puzzled). 
Um huh ! 

General ( slo wig ) . 
I'm going to give you three dimes. 

Susan. 
Um — golly — better hadn't say " Um huh" agin or I won't 
liab nuffin' comin' to me. 

General {counting dimes into her hand). 
One, two, three — {Pause) — four — {Pause) — five. {Susan- 
nah's hand still outstretched for more. General closes her 
hayid, signifying that is all.) 



Susan. 
Oil, thank you, jMarse (Tineral. {Ihois off R.) I'se goin' 
to de circus — I'se goin' to de circus! 

{Genera} resumes seat and reads as Az(die enters from 
R. U. around house; Mark folio u-'nu/ her.) 

AZALIE. 

Father! Father! (Sees him.) 

Oh, heah you are. {Goes to General and. kisses him.) 

General ( tenderly). 
Ah! daughter. 

AZALIE. 

Mark has seats for tlie theater to-niglit. 

General. 
T ho])e vou'11 enjov yourselves. 

■ "Mark {L.C). 
We'll have to go in your carriage. General, mine's out of 
order. 

General {rising). 
I'll tel! Israel. Mark, you look better for your vacation — 
bettali color. 

AzALiE {tnrns au'ai/ to L. ('.). 
Mountain air 'pears to agree with Mark. Is it the scenery 
that attracts you there so often? Or is it some merry little 
mountain maid? {Going to Mark, L. C). {Genercd sits L. of 
table.) 

Marfv {elose to her.) 
Would you l)e jealous, Azalie? 

Azalie. 
The idea. 

{(Jrosses to rose l/usJ), L.) 
I must have some roses for to-night. 

Mark {following tier). 
You're sweeter than all the roses. 

Azalie {pieking roses). 
You're a flatterer. 

Mark {sentimentallg). 
Flatter you? Azalie, you have never felt that aching void. 
{Hand on his heart.) 

Azalie {mock srutimentality). 
Oh, yes, I have, Mark. Very often of late. 

Mark {eagerly). 
You have, Azalie? 

Azalie. 
Y'es, Mark, ever since you went away I've had that lone 
some feeling here. {Hand on heart.) Morning, noon and 
night. And, Mark, I know the cure for it. 

Mark. 
What, Azalie? 



10 

AZALIE. 

Breakfast, dinner, and sni)i)ali. {Laur/hs — goes to oppo- 
site side of rosebush.) 

Mark (laufjli.s — turns (uray.) 
Yon 're a worse flirt than a Yankee girl. {Goes to Gen- 
eral who is reading on porch.) I dro]jped in at the clnb last 
evening, General. Some of the [noniinent members were dis- 
cnssing who's to be our next (lovernor. Yonr name came up. 
(teneral {looking up from paper). 
T believe my over-zealous friends have done some talking. 

Mark. 
C/Olonel Ransome declared himself. He said positively 
that you were the logical candidate. 

General. 
That's right fine of the Colonel. 

Mark. 
It strikes me yon ought to make a flght for the nomina- 
tion. 

General {shakes head). 
Let the office seek the man. 

Mark {turning awag). 
I'm going to work for you just the same. {Going to- 
n-ards L.) 

General. 
Go ahead, ^lark. {Resumes paper.) 

]\Iark {going to L. of Azalie). 
I'll call at seven, Azalie. 

Azalie. 
I'll be ready. 

Mark. 
Good-bye. {Exit L.) 

General and Azalie. 
Good-bye. 

General {looking oirag from paper, musiu(/lg). 
"Good-bye." There's bound to come a time when we 
have to say "Good-bye" to everybody and everything. 
Azalie {goes to General). 
Something is wrong with you, father. 

General {attempts to read again). 
Business troubles, daughter. 

Azalie {kneels at Jiis feet). 

Tell me all about it, won't you deah ? {Taking newspaper 
from him.) 
General {takes gelloir enrelope from pocket and hands her). 

Read that. 

Azalie {looks at envelope — opens it). 
What funny writing. {Reading letter.) 
"I'll be thar a Wednesday ter git ther money in yo' bank. 
Jack Rose." Who's he? {Looking up.) 



11 

General. 
A young- inoiiiUaineer. Tliere's coal and ii"on on his tract 
of mountain land. Tic sold a i)ai-t of it last year for a large 
sum of mone}'. 

AZALIE. 

Is tlie money in your bank, father? 

General. 
It sliould be. But 1 invested it. Somehow, the investment 
didn't prove fortunate. In fact, none of my investments 
have been fortunate of late. 

AzALiE {drawing mvay a trifie). 
Can't you pay this money? 

General. 
I must. He's not a man to be i)ut off. Vou see, he has 
discovered another mine on his land and he wants this money 
to develop it. 

AZALIE. 

This is Wednesday — did he call for it to-day? 

General. 

He called at the bank in a hurry this morning, and told 
Mai'k he didn't have time to draw a check to-day, as he was 
going to the circus. 1 invited him out here to supper this 
evening — J may be able to persuade him to wait, but I'm 
afraid he'll demand his money to-morrow. If I only had 
another month. {Half to self.) 

AzALiE {rises to C). 
You might sell tlie plantation, father. It doesn't pay any 
more. : ; 

General {rises). 
I was thinking of that. How would vou like to go to the 
city to live? {Doini to R. C.) 

Azalie {coming to him R. C). 
I'd like to go anywhere for your good, father. 

General {embraces her). 
How your mother spoke then. You grow more like her 
every day, 

{Enter Susannah R. in big hurry.) 

Susan. 
Mars Gin'ral, Mars Gin'ral! A^our gray colt done stuck 
his lef hind leg in a post hole an' he can't git it out! 

General. 
Susannah, you've been chasing that colt again! 

Susan. 
No, no. Mars Gin'ral! Dat Gabriel — dat little nigger — 
he done chase him. 

( tT^^ T^ T^ T? A T 

Gabriel ! (Galling off I^) If that colt's leg is broke I'll 
break every bone in your black carcass. {Exit R. 1 quick.) 



12 

AZALIE. 

Did yon chase tliat colt, Susaiiiiali f {I/oisc (jallop effect 
ready L.) 

Susan. 
No, Miss Azalie. J only shied a little stick at 'im — 'bout 
so long. {Stretcltes arms out wide — laughs.) 

Azalie. 
You're a very wicked girl, and I'm afraid you'll never 
go to Heaven. 

Susan {runs> and looks off R. in front of lioitse). 
1 don't care; I'se gwine to de circus. 

Azalie {looking after General). 
Dear old father! flow I wish I could help hini ! There's 
always trouble at that old bank. 1 wish there never were any 
banks at all. Only banks of flowers. {TJiis last spoken as 
she u-alks up (uid exits R. 3 E.) 

Susan {looking off' R. 1 E.). 
Golly! Dat gray colt dun got his lef hind leg out all riglit. 
{Cue for horse gallop effect off L.) 

.Jack Kose {off L.). 
AVhoa, thar, Colonel! {Riding on to C. from L.) {Israel 
meets him (\ and leads off the horse R.) Hyar, gal! Kin 
yoii tell me if this air Gineral Deerin's i)lantation? 

Susan. 
Yes, sah. 

Jack {down C.). 
Air he to hum? 

Susan. 
He down in de field. 

Jack. 
Wal, you run down thar an' tell him T'vc come — Jack 
Iiose, of Piney Ridge, tell liim. 

Susan. 
Yes, sah. 

Jack. 
I'd give a dollah for a horn of red liquor — I'm dry as a 
pine chip. 

Susan {runs to decanter and pours Jack a glass dur- 
ing his speecli). 
Yes, sah. {R ringing it to him C.) 

Jack {looks at Susan approvingly) . 
Gal, you hev got a great head — all wool an' a yard wide. 

Susan. 
Yes, sah. {Holding otit hand.) 

Jack {drinks). 
That air's sweet as ther blushin' cheek of a purty gal. 
(jive my boss a drink. 

Susan {hand still out). 
Yes, sah. 



13 

Jack {placing silver dollar In her hand). 

Givo iliat hows all the drinks he wants. 
8 usAN ( excitedly) . 

Yes, sah! {Going up H.) 

Jack. 

An' keep the cliauge. 

Susan {running off R. o E.). 

Yes, sah. 

Jack {calling after her). 

Don't fergit ther name — Jack Rose, of Piuey Ridge. 
{Solus.) Piney Ridge! Now, thet air am a fine place to hail 
i"ro]u. Wonder if I'll ever come to live in a grand house like 
the Gineral's? Reckon not. 1 wur raised on Piney Ridge, 
an' that's my limit. What good air money to a durned fool 
that don't know what to do with itf {Sits on bench L., con- 
templating his boots.) In ther niornin' I'll go back to the 
city, fix up my business thar; buy that breechloader shotgun 
an' them two settali pups, an' go back to Piney Ridge an' 
git married — an' live, an' die, on Piney Ridge. {Disgusted 
drawl. Slaps thigh.) An' I'll be gol-derned if I do ! {Rises.) 
Thar's sumthin' says ter me, "Jack Rose, you're made fer 
better things." {Stands left of rosebusli, hidden.) 

{Enter C. from Garden, Azalie, folUnred by Israel, ivho 
carries a small sprinkling can of water. Azalie does not see 
r/ack nor shou- by action that she suspects he is there.) 

Azalie. 
Give me the sprinkler, Israel. {He does so. She sprinkles 
/lowers about garden, Israel folloning her.) 

Jack {aside). 
That looks like a purty good thing. 

Azalie. 
I hope when we're gone, Israel, whoever buys the place 
will take good care of the flowers. 

Israel {L. C. back of her). 
When we's gone, Miss Azalie I Y'^ou don't mean to say 
dat de Gineral's gwiue to sell de ole plantation? Why I 
couldn't live nowhere else. 

Azalie. 
He needs the money. 

Israel. 
Must need it powerful bad. 

Azalie. 
He owes a rich man a big sum of money and he is pressing 
father. {Goes to R. and watering ffon-ers around, house.) 

Jack {aside). 
If it was me I'd ]iress his daughter. 

Israel. 
Who's de man? 



14 

AZALIE. 

Yon don't know liini; a Air. IJose from np in the moun- 
tains. 

Jack {aside). * 

Me! 

Israel. 
AVon't be wait awhile? 

AZALIE. 

I'm afraid not. 

Israel. 
He's a mighty mean man. {Israel goes on porch.) 

AzALiE {crosses to R. and waters plants down corner 
of porch). 
That's what I think. 

Jack {aside, left side of bush). 
Jieckon I won't git a chance to press his daughter. She 
looks like she jes' come down from the blue sky and fetched 
a piece of it along with her. 

{Azcdie comes to bush L.; waters R. side of it; passes in 
front of it to L. side as he dodges round behind it to R. side; 
she sprinkles it from L. side and pours water on him; he 
starts; she sees Jiini for, the first time.) 

AZALIE, 

Oh, I beg- your ])ardon, sir! 

Jack {R. of bnsh, dow)i). 

That's all right. I was so green you couldn't tell me from 
the bush. Reckon you all the Gineral's daughter? {Looks 
intently at her.) 

Say, 1 know you. Yes, — you don't remember me do you? 
No? AVhy, don't you recollect? A year ago last summer, 
one night, a party of you rode by Piney Ridge — up in the 
mountains ? You rode a black boss 

AZALIE. 

Y"es! 

Jack. 
He was a right smart kind of a boss. Hev you got him 
yet. 

AZALIE. 

He's down in the stable now. 

Jack. 

I'll go out an' take a look at him afteh supper. Say, do 
you remember the young feller who held thet boss an' gev 
you a drink o' water outen a gourd cuiv! 

AZALIE. 

AVasityou? 

Jack. 
I'm the very same feller. 

AzALTE {offers hand cordially). 
I'm glad to see you. 



15 

Jack {takhiy lici- luuid tliuullij cuid shaking it awk- 
ivardly). - 
So'm I. 

{Israel has been up C. by porch looking intcnily at Jack 
during the fofegoiitf/. Comes down C, eyes staring — fright- 
ened — aivestruck.) 

Jack {sees liiiu). 
Hullo! {To Israel) What's the matter with you? 

Israel {dou-n R. C). 
Go 'way! You'.se dead, T say. You'se dead! 

Jack. 
Wal, if I be, I don't know it. 

Israel. 
Come 'way, Miss Azalie, dat ain't no man. Dat's a gliost! 
You'se dead, I say. I see'd you lyin' dead over dah in de 
meadow by de fence aftali de hattle was ovah — wid a bullet in 
yo ' heart ! 

Azalie {starts to cross to Israel). 
Israel ! {Remonst ratingly) . 

Jack {detidus her). 
Let him go on. Who am If 

Israel. 
You'se Colonel Briarson, sah. 

Jack. 
lieekon not. There's no Briarson nor no briars 'l)Out me. 
My name's Jack Rose. 

{Azalie shows sjic rcco(/iii2es name and bach's up sta</c a 
bit.) 

Israel ( recovering) . 
Den you ain't no ghost? Ijordy ! You scared me out of a 
year's growth. {Turns to R.) 

{Enter General R. 1 E.; sees Jack; comes forward.) 

General. 
Good evening, Mr. Rose. 

Israel. 
Gin'ral, look! Don't you see de favor? 

General. 
What favor? 

Israel, 
'Tween de gen 'men an' Kuh'nel Briaiison? 

General {crosses to Jack — ''yeing Jack). 
Some — yes; but the Colonel's hair was very light. 

Israel. 
Dat's a fac' — didn't see dat. But dere was sumtin {going 
R) — don' know what — mavbe it was second sight. {Exit 
R. 1 E.) 

General. 
You're right welcome, sah. Mr. Rose, my daughter, 
Azalie. 



16 

AzALiE {turn^ to I'u.scbush L.). 
You're late, father. Mr. Rose introduced himself. 

General. 
Oh! {Jack crosses to General at R. C.) Well, sah, how 
did you enjoy the circus t 

Jack. 
Purty fair. The clown and the trick mule war the two 
smartest fellers in the show. 

General. 
You're just in time for suj^pah, sah. {Shoirs slight em- 
barrassment ill tJiis see lie.) 

Jack. 
Lord! I don't l)elieve I want airy su])i)er — I'm so full o' 
[)eanuts and red lemonade. {Drawls slightly in speech.) 

General. 
So you think you have struck it rich in your new mine f 

Jack. 
Yes, sah. Thet mine will pan out a million dollahs sure 
as shootin'. All I've got to do is to huy tlier machinery an' 
git ter work. 

General. 
You're 1)ccoming a great financier, sah. 

Jack. 
I'm clus as a hickory l>ark when it comes to money. How 
about thet account of ourn! As I figure it — it stands, in- 
cludin' interest to date, forty-two thousand five hundred an' 
sixty dollahs and seventy-five cents. 

General ( sm iles ) . 
Yes, sah. Don't leave out the seventy-fi\'e cents. 

Jack. 
'Course not. It's mine an' I want it. {To General.) 
That's a heap o' money, (Jineral. 

General. 
Y^'es, sah. 

Jack. 
Might be a hea]) o' use to a man when he's tight pressed? 

General. 
A heap, sah. {Puzzled.) 

Jack. 
AVal, I was thinkin' if I set to work an' bought all thet 
machinery an' things didn't pan out all right, I might be up 
a hard row o' stumi)s. So I'd about concluded to let thet 
money stay in your bank another year. 

General. 
Do you mean that, sah! {Astonished.) {Enter Israel 
from house.) 

Jack. 
I never say what I don't mean. {Quietly.) 



17 



General (a side). 
Thank God! Thank God! {Tunis awaii.) 

Israel. 
Suppali, sah. {Exits into house.) 

General. 
Come, Mr. Rose. ( 'oine, Azalie. {Exit into house B.) 
{Azalie erosses to porch — Jack folloivs. She stands on 
top, he at bottom of step. She turns inrpulsireli/ to him.) 

Azalie. 
Mr. Rose, you're leaving that money in tlie hank to help 
us. 

Jack {fuiuhtiuf/ stoucJi hat). 
T changed my mind. 

Azalie. 



You're good as gold. 
You're hettah. 
You're an angel. 
You're another. 
T could kiss vou. 



Jack. 
Azalie. 

Jack. 
Azalie. 

Jack. 



T could stan' it. 

{Azalie, ivho has taken a step donii as lie takes one up, 
bends over and. kisses him suddeidif and exits B. info honse.) 
Jack {stands in delight ed awazement an instant.) 
Good-hye, Piney Ridge — I'm goin' to stay right hyar. 
(Jams on hat recktessJ/f and f(dloirs her off' R.) 

{SnsiDrnab's Sonr/. wherr site ei-osses stage.) 

Niggah mighty hap]»y when he hoein' oh d(^ coi-n ! 

Dat sun am a-slantin'. 
Niggah mighty happy when he hear de dinnah horn! 

Dat sun am a-slantin'. 
Dat sun am a-slantin' jes' sure's you horn; 

Den rise up mighty an' give it to him strong; 
Fling in a tech oh de ole-time song; 

De old dun cow wid her ding-dang-dong; 
Good night, Mistah Wippoorwill, 
T wish you mighty well. 

Mistah Whip]>]ioor-will, 
T wish you mighty well, 

T wish you mighty well. 

{Stage darkens. Pause. Susannah hegins singing off R. 
1. Her voice grows louder as though approaching. She is 
singing a verse of som,e negro melody, ivith a tinge of melam-' 
choly in it. During verse of song she comes on R. 1 E., 



18 

crosses to C. and up and off L., bach' of set row. During same 
stage changes from dusk to moonlight.) 

{Enter Mark in evenuig dress and top coat from, L. Goes 
to foot of porch, R. — listens.) 

Cindy {calls off' L.). 
Mark! Mark! 

{Enter Ci}idg, L. Mountain girl, plain blue gingham 
dress and sunhonnet; fiad, slight; mournful voice, but not 
monotonous ; mountain dialect.) 

Cindy (L. C.) 
It's me— C^iiidy. {Brcathlcsslii.) 

Mark {R.' C). 
I see it is. 

Cindy. 
I was goin' by an' I see yoii-uns a-eoniiii' through the gate. 
{Tenderness in tone.) 

Mark {slightlg petulant). 
What made you come? 

Cindy. 
I hed to come. 

Mark {looks at h^r (/uestioninf/lg). 

You- 

Cindy. 
I hev left father — motlier — home, fer you. 

Mark. 
Sh! When did you leave the ridge? 

Cindy. 
Yisterday. I've walked all ther way, an' last night I slept 
out in a field with only a buncli of hay fer my ])iller; but I 
didn't keer — I wur a comin' to you. An' now I've got hyar, 
ve ain't glad to see me. You he\'n't turned agin' me too, hev 
yef 

Mark. 
J wish you hadn't come. 

Cindy. 
Don't — don't say that, Mark. 

Mark. 
I can't mairy you at |u-esent. It would s])oi] all my plans 
— ruin me. I'd only make you unhappy and myself miser- 
able — it was all a mistake — and as much your fault as mine. 

Cindy. 
My fault? 

Mark. 
Oh, I know. The man is always a villain in these things. 
But you tem])ted me with your cunning simplicity. 

Cindy. 
Ye lie! Ye lie! Ye come to me — ye told me love testified 
everytliing. I wur weak — I wur blind — blind. {Turns awag.) 



19 

Mark. 

Tlmt's wlitit evory woman says. 

C^NDY {tuiHs fiei-vdy). 
My God! 1 could kill ye fer that. {Turns airaij.) No, 
no! {In loiv tour of despair.) What'llldo! Wliat'U I dol 
{Crosses to R.) 

Mark. 

Does anyone know that I 

Cindy. 
Ye coward! I swore not to tell till ye come fer me. I 
keep my word. 

Mark. 
And I break mine, T sn]ii)ose. Hasn't yonr fatlier sns- 
])ected me? 

Cindy. 
Ye know lie hain't. The man he sns]iects will be found 
dead. {With (jiiict intensity, pointing at ground.) 

Mark. 
Why do you subject me to this danger {tooJiing ana-ioitslg 
about) if you love me? You may be followed. 

CiNDY'. 

Why don't you come back to me — afore it's too late? 

Mark. 
T did wrong, 1 admit. Tf money 

CiNDY. 

Don't — don't speak ter me! I'm goin' away — ye needn't 
ter 1)6 afraid. T won't never come back no more. {Starts 
toward L. 2 E.) 

Mark (foUoiring). 

Have a little patience. I can't leave here now — my inter- 
ests — our future — ^won't ]iermit it. 

ClNDY\ 

I come alone — if you don't want me I can go alone. 

Mark. 
Now, don't be rash — where are you going! 

Cindy. 
I'm goin' ter live — and fergit you. {Quirk rxit L. 2 E.) 

Mark {solus). 
She'll not tell! And when once I'm married, her pride 
will hold her tongiie. Damn fool I've been. {On porrh.) 
AzALTE {o/f R. in house). 
Mark, is that you? 

Mark. 
Yes. {Entering door R.) 

AZALIE. J 

Shan't we be late? 

Mark. 

T think not. 

{Burin () the foregoing she has rome on into halt and he is 
hrtpiug hrr on irith tier rloaJi, a pinh one.) 



20 

AZALIE. 

Oil, I forgot my opera glasses. {E.rifs off R. in Jioiise.) 

Mark. 
Ah, did you? {Follons Iter.) 

[Chulii, i('-<')ifcri)t(/ from L. <nul cioss'nifi to B. fro)/f of 
lioiise.) 

Cindy. 
He turns me otT. {Peers in th.roiirjli iriurloir of hall faeing 
aiidienee.) Leaves me fer her. That's holdin' him here, now 
I know — she's done it. She's stole him from me. I won't 

stand it— I'll . {Starts up porch steps and staggers.) 

It's growin' so dark — 1 can't see — I . {Sinks on steps B.) 

{Enter Jack Bose around house from B. V .) 
Jack {solus). 
I hev got a rival, hut I'm a-goin' to cut him out. It's thet 
derned cashier. I tuk a dislike ter him the fust time 1 ever 
see him — this accounts fer it. He's goin' ter take her to the 
theatre to-night, hut slie's 'gaged ter go along with me to- 
morrer night. He's got ther style — I've got the cash. I 
reckon I'll cut him out. He's ahead o' me on edication an' 
manners, Init I'll go to college, join them foothall fellers an' 
he a gentleman. Ves, sail I'm hound to do it. I'm goin' ter 
cut him out, fer sure. {Smokes during abore. Goes slowly to- 
irard steps. Sees Cindy.) Hello! What in — or anywhar else — 
is this liyar? A woman an' she's fainted. Here — gimme thet 
likker. '{Buns to table, gets glass of u-Jiiskey, goes to Cindy, 
lifts her head.) Why, it's (Hndy— Cindy Lane! Why, Cindy, 
don't ye know me? It's Jack — Jack Rose! 

Cindy {faintly). 
Jack? Jack Rose? 

Jack. 
Why, yes — hev one with me. {Gives her whiskey.) What 
a i)Owerful hlessin' good likker is sometimes. {Cindy looks 
inquiringly at liim.) Ye rememher yer old friend. Jack, thet 
used to spark ye till that Rube Holler cut me out? Somehow 
I never shined up to a gal but some feller cut me out. Thar, 
vou're better now, Cindy. What ye doin' 'way off liyar! 

Cindy {rises during last speech; crosses slowly toward 
C). 
I'm stronger now. I got this fur an' I — I tuk faint. I 
ain't eat nuthin' since mornin' — thet's it. 

Jack. 
Come right in ter the house — they're nice folks hyar. 

Cindy {shrinking). 
No! No! I cayn't go in thar. Don't try to do nuthin' fer 
me. Jack. I hain't wuth it. Jes' let me go. {Starts off 

B. 1 E.) . . , . 

Jack {detaining her). 

No, I won't, nuther, now, till ye tell me what's wrong with 



21 

ye. {Cindy turns aivdij dud covers her face. Goes to rose- 
hii.slt I J. C.) L tliouglit so. See a woman in tears an' ten to 
one it's aecouut o' some scoundrel of a man. Tell me wlio lie 
is. I'll make him right ye if it costs every dollar I've got. 

Cindy. 
Ye cayut — ye eaynt. 

Jack. 

Then I'll kill him as I'd sot my heel on a snake. {Cindy, 
ivho has been leaning against rosebush, totters.) {Catching 
her.) Thar, tliar, don't faint agin. Come an' hev another 
drink. An' in the mawnin' I'll take ye home. 

C^iNDY {going down to bench, L and sits). 

Father druv me out. 

Jack. 

That's it — darn 'em! They alwus drive 'em out. An' yer 
father's a church member, too. Fine (Uiiistian, he is. Wait 
till I see him — I'll give him hell. 

C^INDY. 

He didn't say no words — but, oh ! the looks. I cayn't stand 
it no more. 

Jack. 
An' he calls thet religion! 

Cindy {seated on bench during al/ore and tJiis). 
1 went agin the world's ways. It's only right fer the 
woi-ld ter be agin mine. {Intense (/uiet. Rises.) I'm goin' 
to the city. {Heeldessty.) 

Jack. 
No, ye ain't nuther, now. Yer goin' home with me. {He 
takes hold of her — she staggers — he supports her.) But ye 
cayn't walk thar to-night. {Slightly nonplused.) 
{Enter Mark and Az(die from house R — come down porch.) 

Mark (^behind, laughing). 
Come, Azalie. {Azalie comes to C, Mark on steps. Jack 
and. Cindy L. C.) 

Jack {supporting her). 
Thar, thar! Don't faint agin. Don't be skeered, Miss 
Deerin'. It's only a young gal friend o' mine, jes' come down 
from ther Ridge — an' took kinder bad hyai'. {Certain amount 
of tenderness in tone.) 

Azalie. 
Poor girl ! Bring her into the house. 

Cindy ( sh rink in q ) . 
No! No! No! 

Jack. 
She ain't quite herself, you see. I'd like to get her home 
to her friends right away. 

Azalie. 
Take our carriage. It will be here in a minute. 



22 

Maek {protesting). 
Azalie, we'll miss the 

AZALIE. 

{Turns on him in surprise.) Mark! {Then to Jack.) 
Poor girl! Out in this chilly night air — and only that thin 
cotton dress. Here — wrap this around her. {Gives Jack 
opera cloak.) 

Jack. 

You're pure gold. 

AZALTE. 

The carriage is at the gate. 

Jack. 
Sorry to s])oil your ])leasure. 

Azalie. 
Oh, that's nothing. We're going to-morrow night, you 
know. 

Mark {prot es t ing ) . 

But, Azalie {Jack putting cloak around Cindg, L.) 

Azalie {turns indignantlg). 
Mark Briarson, for shame ! 

Jack {as he is going L. iritJi Cindg). 
I reckon I've cut him out. 

CURTAIN. 



23 



ACT II. 

Lights IJp.—Sidehoarr] at had- L. U. E.—Sofa L. 2 77.— 
Small gilt tahle and tiro chairs, R. 2 //. — Piano 
R. against fat. — Piano hwip. 'practical R. side 
of center entrance. — Rosebush shoiving at 
French irindou', L. 1 E., that opens out on gar- 
den. — Several decanters on sideboard. — Tiro 
dueling pistols in drauer in sideboard. — Lace 
curtains on uindon's. — Portieres on doors {R. 
2 E.) leading off into ball room and on doors 
up center leading on to veranda. — Trag nntli 
6 whiskey glasses and decanter for Israel. — Tele- 
gram for Major. — Tray n-ith champagne bottle 
and two glasses, R. H. — Rifle (to fire) for Zeb. 
—Schottische and wcdtz music, on stage, off R. — 
A handsome interior setting. — {Pari; landscape 
drop). 

Scene: A room in General Deering\s house. Fancy interior 
with large ivindoivs leading to porch or veranda, 
baching. — Windons L. leading to veranda. — 
Practiced rosebush growing in at windcrw L. in 
bloom.— Curtained arch R. U. E. leading off in- 
to dancing room. — Door R. 1 E. leading into 
library. — A reception in progress. — Music off 
R. U. E. — Quadrille. — (Sec scene plot for par- 
ticulars.) 

l)j8('()VEKEi) A'L' liisE: (icucral Decri)if/, Marl,- llriaison. Ma jo.' 
Jartre.e, (lolowi liausonic, Israel and several 
elderly southern genflcnicn {laughing). — Major 
at door dismissing messenger boy, L. — Israel 
handing out from tray glass of whiskey to Gen 
eral Deering. — All rest with glasses in hands. — 
About to drink. — Talking. — Animation, etc. 

Major {comes dou-n). 
I've a telegram from Nashville. {Reads.) "County dele- 
gation solid for Deering." General, your nomination is a 
foregone conclusion. {Helps himself to whiskey.) 

Mark {lifts glass). 
To General Deering — our next Democratic nominee for 
Governor. 

Major. 
I'll drink that toast as long as the General's whiskey 
lasts. {All drink toast and laugh.) 

General Deering {takes glass front CoUrnel and gives 
it to Israel uith his own). 
Thanks, gentlemen. Shall we all walk into the library? 



24 

{All cross to B.) T have some especially fine Havana's there. 
{Exit R. geutlemcn, ronversiuf/; Major rema'ms, R.) Come. 
Major. 

{Israel places glasses on sideboard and exits L.; Mark at 
sideboard, drinking.) 

Major {has been lookinq on; tiptoes off into ball room, 
R.3E.) 
Exense n\e, General, I'm engaged to Miss Beverly foh the 
next waltz. 

General. 

Major, as an old friend, will you allow me 

Major {codh's don-n R. C, salutes). 
Proceed, General. 

General. 
To exiH'ess my astonishment that an old soldier like your- 
self should storm a citadel so long and not capture it. 

Major. 
Lack of strength foh the final assault, General. 

General. 
P'ortify yourself! Just take a good stiff glass of o'd 
Bourbon. 

Major. 
I do fortify myself. General. Every time I determine to 
]>ropose to Miss Beverly T take a glass to give me courage. 
Then I take another glass to give me more courage, and b^^ 
the time I get mv c(mrage well up — I'm so full 1 can't talk 
at all. {Exit R. 3 E.) 

{General about to exit R. when Mark, alio Jias been drink- 
ing at sideJ)Oard , conies doirn and liails Iiiin confident iedly.) 

Mark. 
Say, General, that tip on cotton is straight. 

General. 
No, no, Mark; no more cotton market foh me. I've done 
with s})eculation. AVhen 1 want to gamble I'll sit down to a 
siame of draw poker. Some fun foh vour money there. {Exit 
R. 1.) 

Mark. 
Cotton's bound to go up. It's got to — I'll ask Azalie to 
marry me — I'll ask her to-night. Tlien, if anything happens, 
the General will have to stand bv me for her sake. {Exit 
R. V. E.) 

{Enter through C. and down — Jarh and Azalie.) 

Azalie. 
Oh, but you must, not insist on dancing with me all the 
time. 

Jack Rose. 
I don't keer to dance with any o' the others. You're jest 
as purty as a lily o' the valley to-night. But, slio, what's 
the use? Solomon in all his glory wan't as purty as you, 
whether you're fixed up er not. How'm I! 



25 

AZALIE, 

I like you. But, I prefer a wliite one. {Bcfcrs to tic.) 

Jack. 
Red's purtier. {Widtz begins off R. U. E.) 

AzALiE {laughs; crosses to /?.). 
There goes the waltz. 

Jack {catches her luoxJ ; detains tier). 
Let's stay hyar an' talk — ,jes' you an' me. 
AzALTE (.s//.s- B.: L. of B. talAe). 
What shall we talk al)outf 

Jack. 
Oh, you an' me. {Sits on arm of sofa L.) Say, do you 
think I'll ever amount to anything? 

AZALIE. 

What a question! Of course T do. T know of no young 
man with a fairer prospect. 

Jack. 
Jest now — while I'm lookin' right straight at you. 

AZALIE. 

You're rich. 

Jack. 

An' that's all? 

AZALIE. 

Oh, no; father says you have a grand liead for business. 

Jack. 
I hope it'll never git too big fer my hat. But I'm so back- 
ward in book larnin' and sich. 

AZAIJE. 

That's nothing. Andrew Johnson couldn't read or write 
at twenty-one, and he l)ecame President. 

Jack. 

Who helped liini along? 

Azalie. 
His wife. 

Jack. 
I hain't got ary wife. 

AzALiE {rises). 
But you can get one. 

Jack {rises and crosses to her; ca(ierly). 
Kin I? 

Azalie {stops, stigJittg confused). 
Of course — if you find some one you love — and who loves 
you — and you get married — naturally you'll have a wife. 
(Crosses and sits on sofa L. C.) 

Yes, I reckon. {Ahashed, B. C; aside.) I wonder if she'd 
hunch if I'd move alongside? {Sits on edge of sofa. Aloud.) 
Say, what you sittin' so fur off, fob? 

Azalie ( laughingly ) . 
It isn't my fault. 



^ 



26 

Jack {movina closer). 
Say, do you remember the first night I come hyar! 

AZALIE. 

The e veiling you 

Jack. 
You tlirew me thet kiss? 

AZALIE (Id H (J Its). 

Haven't you forgotten that! 

Jack. 
Reckon T won't nevah fergit that. 

AZALIE. 

Never is a long time. Yevy often the oklest of friends 
forget each otlier; and you have only known me a few short 
months. 

Jack. 

You furgit that black lioss an' tlier night you ride past 
Piney Ridge. 

AZALIE. 

You saw me only for a few moments then. 

Jack. 
'Twur long enough. Why, I stood and watched you gal • 
lopin' out o' sight in ther gray night mist a feelin' thet sun- 
thin' 'blongin' to my life was gone. My life! Thet air a 
one chaptered story, Azalie. Ther beginnin' — what's thet 
you all call the beginnin' of a book? 

Azalie. 
The preface. 

Jack. 
The preface air a missin'. You s(H' T was a waif, Azalie, 
a castaway. 1 war found one mornin' in front o' a cabin 
door in the mountains by the woman as afterwards became 
a motlier to me. The only mother I ever knew — she's gone 
now — poor mother. Yes, sir, she found me wrapped up in 
an old gray soldier coat, under a rosebush, one mornin' — 
like Moses in the bullrushes. She brought me up an' left me 
the farm an' the ore that's made me rich. 

Azalie. 
Then you don't know who your real parents were? 

Jack. 
Sich parents don't gineral'y come back — though I 'spect 
they'd be glad enough to own me now. So, for the land 
sakes, don't tell my story, ur I'll have fathers an' mothers a 
bobbin' up all 'round. " {Looks around quietly, in a half- 
humorous, half -serious manner.) 1 jest thought I'd tell you. 

Azalie. 
And she found you under a rosebush. 

Jack. 
Yes, a Jack rosebush— like this yar one growin' out the 
window. [Goes to bush at window L.) So she called me 
Jack Rose. 



27 

AzALiR {starting foniird L.). 
1 lovo J.'ick Ivosos. {I iHpiilsirclij.) 

J ACK {intercepting) . 
Do ye? {'Fiien let her i^ass to windon- L.) 

AzALiE {turning to Mm). 
Did yon ever hear tlie story of how tliey first grew? 

Jack. 
No. {Hits on arm of sofa.) Tell me! 

AZALTE. 

Well, 'there was once a Governor of an island — Cnba, 1- 
think — liis name was Jacque-minot. He had a daughter who 
fell in love wfth a yonng soldier, who madly loved her in 
return. 

Jack. 

(^onrse; he eonldn't help it. 

AZALIE. 

But his father and the Governor were sworn enemies, and 
so the lovers had to meet in secret. One night they were 
standing together beside a white rosebush, his arm was 'round 
her — {Jaclx slgJy slips his arm round Azalie) — when her 
father came u])on them and killed them both. {Jaclx take^ 
Iris arm awaij — looking around.) Then he ordered the gar- 
dener to cut down the bush, that the sight of it might never 
remind him of his child. But the blood of the lovers had fallen 
u]^on its roots, and the next morning when the (jovernor went 
into the garden it had s])rnng up again, only, instead of white 
roses, the blossoms were blood red. And so, we call them 
Jac(iueminot, or Jack Roses for short. {Turns to window.) 
Jack {rises — goes to her). 
That's a cute fairy yarn. Eeckon your father don't bear 
me no such grudge. 

Azalie. 
Why! 

Jack. 
'Cause he might s]nll my gore if he came along hyar now. 
Wouldn't make nuich difference to me if he did. 'Cause I 
could die fer ye, Azalie, tho' of course I'd a heap sight rather 
live; live fer ye, Azalie, don't ye understand — I'm a otferin' 
ye my life — heven't ye nuthin' ter give me? 

Azalie {turninq impulsively; emhracinq him). 
Yes! 

Jack. 
Gee wuts ! 
{Chlotilde laughs as she enters irith Mark, R. U. E.) 

elACK {picking rose from hush at nmidou- L.) 
Thet's the purtiest rosebud I most ever see. 

Chlotilde. 
Oil, heali you all are. 

{Azalie crosses to Chlotilde, B. C. np. Mark crosses to 
Jack, down L.) 



28 

Jack. 
(iood eveiiin', Mr. Briarsoii. 

Makk. 
Good evening", Mr. Rose. 

Chlotilde {iisif/c to A tali I'). 
Your gown is very liecoming. Green's niy eolor, too. Isn't 
it funny? 

Mark {to Jack). 
Your attentions to Miss Deering are l)eing remarked. 

Jack. 
Folks will talk. 

Mark. 
They're very ol)jeetionable, sir. 

Jack. 
The lady haint said so. 

Mark. 
Well, I say so. l^erhaps you are not awai-e, sii-, that she's 
my promised wife. 

Jack (a side). 
Oh, what a liluff. 

Mark. 



You eom])rehend, sir, 

Sutn'ly. 

Tlien it's all right? 



Jack. 
Mark. 



Jack. 
Sut'nly its all right. Ha-ha! Ha-ha! (Takes Mark's 
a nil and leads him up to sideboard.) 

Chlotilde {to Azalie, asi(te). 
Has Mr. Rose been flirting with you ? 

Azalie. 
No; has he been flirting with you? 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, desperately, and Major Jartree is furiously jealous. 
Now, Azalie, if you were in my place and Mr. Rose should 
ask me to be his little wife — what would you do? 

Azalie. 
Appears to me I'd wait until he asked me. 
{Waltz Jjegins off stage B. — CMotilde goes doiru R. — Jack 
doicH to sofa L.) 

Mark {crosses to Azalie). 
ShaH we dance this waltz, Azalie? 

Azalie {takes Mark's arm). 
Oil, Miss Beverly, Mr. Rose is just dying to waltz with 
you. {Mark and Azalie exit R. U. E.) 

Jack {falls on sofa). 
I'm most dead. 

Chlotilde {waltzing alone). 
Don't you just love to waltz! 



Jack. 
SoiiietIme« — not now — ^I'ln weary. 

Chlotilde {sluing on sofa beside him). 
I'm weary, too. We have so many sentiments in common. 
]sn't it funny? 

Jack. 
Yes; makes me laugh. {Laughs.) 

Chlotilde. 
Waltz music always makes me feel so desolate. Oh, dear. 
{Ogles him over fan.) 

Jack, 
Eh? 

Chlotilde. 
It's so sad to be alone in the world. I've been an orphan 
for — three — long — years. 

Jack. 
] 'm an orphan myself. 

Chlotilde. 
F'ather and mother both dead"? 

Jack. 
Both of 'em. 

Chlotilde. 
So are mine. Isn't that funny"? We can sympathize with 
each other. {Reclines head on his slionlder.) 
Jack {removing her head). 
Say, whar's yer guardian"? 

Chlotilde. 
I haven't any guardian. I'm of age. I'm at liberty to 
do just as I i^lease. 

Jack. 
Not with me — {aside — then aloud) — 1 thought Major Jar- 
tree was your guardian. 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, dear, no. The Major takes a great deal of interest 
in my affairs — {enter Major R. U. E.; glares at them — espe- 
cially my money affairs. Perhaps you are not aware that 
I'm worth over twenty-five thousand doUars, which the Major 
advises me to invest in real estate; but I prefer to deposit it 
in General Deering's bank, where your money is, only the 
Major advised me not. {Confidenlially to Jack.) 

Jack. 
Oh, the Major advised you not, did he? 

Chlotilde. 
Now, what's your advice- — {leaning head over his arm) — 
I'll do just what you say"? {Major — harried exit off C. — 
angrg.) 

Jack. 
The Major is head clerk of the bank; he ought to know. 

Chlotilde. 
The Majoi- told me not to mention it to any one. 



30 

Jack. 
Oh, the Major did, did lie ? 

Chlotilde. 
But I thouglit yon ought to know. i\nd now T want to 
ask your advice on another sulijeet — do you believe in mar- 
riage ? 

Jack. 
Wal, yes, in moderation. 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, you're so funny! And don't you think money ought 
to marry money? 

Jack. 
Wa', thet de])ends on how much the gal's got. 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, you sweet thing. (Covers her face and his with her 
fan. ) 

Jack. 
Here, what you at? (Rises.) Trying to shut yerself up 
in the dark with me? (Enter Israel uith chauipagne from 
R. 1 E.) What you got tliar, Israel, champagne? 

Israel. 
Yes, sah. (Exit R.) 

Jack (pouring it out in glass). 
Have some champagne. Miss Beverly? 
(Major appears, C. — Chlotilde sees him and goes up C. 
to R. U.E.) 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, the Major — he's furious, perfectly furious — I'm sure 
thev'll light a duel over me. Oh, dear — it's so romantic. So 
funny! (Exit R. U. E.) 

Jack (coming to C). 
Major, will you join me! 

Major. 
No, sah, I will not, sah. 

Jack. 
Why not, sah? 

Major. 
Undahstand me, sah, I'm attached to Miss Beverly. 

Jack (drinks and puts glass on tray). 
Go ahead and serve the attachment. 

Major. 
You're poking fun at me, sah; I call you out, sah. Israel I 

Israel (frightened, enters R.). 
Yes, sah. 

Major. 
Fetch the General's dueling pistols. 

Israel. 
De, de, dewellin' pistols; you aint gwine to fight, is you? 

Major (X. to L.; walk up and down). 
None o' your business; fetch the pistols. 



31 

Israel. 
Oil, Lordy! Day's gwine to be l)lood shed sure. (Gels 
pistols from draucr in sidehoard up L.) 

Major. 
Load them, sah, 

Israel (C). 
Dey is loaded, sah. {Hands them out to Major.) 
Dey is loaded. 

Major ( tahing pistols ) . 
Now! {Points pistols at Israel — who dodf/cs.) 

Israel. 
Hold on lieali, I ain't {iii,htin' dis dewel. {Exits off' C to 
R. H.) 

{Enter Chlotilde from B.. U. E.) 

(^hlotilde. 
Oh, Major — oh, Jack! {Falls in faint in Jack's arms.) 

Major. 
My hot blood got the bettali of me — ail's fair in love. 
Take her, my boy, and be happy. 

Jack {holding Chlotilde). 
I can't. Major. I'm engaged already. Here, Major, yon 
take her! {Pitts her in Major's arms.) Now, don't say 1 
never gave yon anything. {E.rit R. 1 E.) 
Chlotilde ( reviving ) . 
Oh, where am I? 

Maj or. 
Yes, where are we at! 

Chlotilde. 
Oh, Major! Dear Major! (Cfinf/s to Jiim.) Isn't it 
funny 1 

Ma.IOI!. 

Let's go out on the \eranda and discuss tliis proposi- 
tion. {Stuffing pistols iit hip pockels to concad I hem — takes 
her — offering his arm ivith a fiourish — oat C; as he goes up 
the pistols show from tinder his coat-tails.) 

{Enter Jack and General from lihrarg, R.) 

Jack. 

Yes, Gineral — I'm ot¥ fur New York in ther mornin' — 
I'm 'goin to sell that iron mine. 

General {at R. of Jack). 
(Jood fortune to you, sah. 

Jack. 
When T come l)aek we'll fix fur the weddin'. 

Generai-. 
Wedding, sah? Whose wedding? 

Jack. 
Mine and Azalie's. 

General. 
Who says so, sah? 



32 

Jack. 
Azalie ! . ' 

General. 
Oh, well, if Azalie says so, I reckon I'll have to endorse 
her note of hand. {Sliakcs Jack's hand warmly — music — 
^iop. General sees Major and Chlotilde, who appear at hack 
outside door, kissing.) Look at the Major! Look at him! 
{Major and Chlotilde retire hnrriedli/.) 
(Major and Chlotilde retire Jnirriedli/.) 

Jack. 
Another weddih'. General. Azalie! 

(Enter Azalie, followed by guests from R. U. E. Azalie 
comes C, joins Jack.) 

General. 
My friends, I have the honor to annonnce the engage- 
ment of my daughter to Mr. Rose. 

(Enter Briarson — door L. 3 E. Enter C, Major and 
Chlotilde.) 

Mark. 
General Deering, that marriage can never take i)laee. 

General. 

j\Jark Briarson 

Mark (L.). 

I say 

Jac^k (C). (Interrupting.) 
Don't mind him. (Jeneral; he objected to my makin' love 
to Azalie. 'Tain't likelv he'd agree to mv marrvin' her. 

Mark (L. C). 
You can't marry her 1 say; — you're a white nigger, {(len- 
eral excitement.) ' 

Jack (C). 
Hold on — say that agin (veyy ([iiictly). 

Mark. 
Your mother is an octoroon. She was my father's slave. 

Jack. 
Wal, I'll be darned. If you wan't sicli a crazy jealous 
lune I'd have to make you prove that. (Ilalf-laugh of intense 
"suppressed feeling.) 

Mark.— (Goifig to D. in F. or Door L. 3 E.) 
1 can prove it. Dagmar — Dagmar — come here. (Enter 
Dagmar door — dragged in by Mai'k to C. up.) 
Dagmar (simulating protest). 
Now, Mistah Mark, don't — don't — please don't. 

MAm^.— (Puts her to L. C.) 
Now tell what you told me. Who is he? 

Dagmar. 
Don't force me to say it. I don't want to; 'deed I don't. 

Mark. 
Who is he! 



33 

Dagmar. 
If 1 mus', I urns'. He am my own son. 
Jack {turning to Azalie, speaking in low, disfi)tct tone, never 
tailing his eye from Dagmar). 
Thar, Azalie, didn't I tell you I'd have father's an' moth- 
er's abobbin' up I 

Azalie. 
It's a shame! A shame! It isn't true. Father {turns to 
General R. C). 

General {crosses to Jack). 
{To Mark) If this isn't true, sah, you shall answer to me. 

Jack {stopping (U'uerat irith liand). 
Easy, Gineral, this yere (juestion's mine. After I'm an- 
swered the gentleman will have nuthin' more to say. {Guests 
start to leave R.) Don't you all go; I want you to hear it 
out. {Turns to Dagmar.) Now, then, you say you're my 
mother — 'splain ? 

Dagmar. 
Don't make me si)eak out heah. honey. (L. C.) 

Jack. 
You come hyar; speak hyar — s])eak. (('.) 

Mark. 
The story is ])lain encnigh. (L.) 

Ja(jk. 
I wur addressin' this woman. You've had your say, sail. 
'Tween us there's no more talk. You understand? (Turus to 
Da (/mar.) Go ahead, we're wnitin'. 

Dagmah. 

You all force me to tell. (Jenei-al Denrin' kuowed me afore 
de wall, knowed me ever since. I used to b'long ter (^>lonel 
Briarson, Mark's father; after dat I b 'longed to (V)lonel 
Briarson's brother. He was your father. {Pause — looks at 
Jack — watchful.) 

Jack. 

Go ahead. 

Dagmar. 

De day of de battle, out in de meadow yander — de colonel 
he gave me his motherless boy an' he say to me, "Dagmar, 
take de chilluns" — dat war Mark an' my own little babby. 
"Take de chilluns up into de mountains"; de Colonel say, 
"Stay U]) dah till I comes fer ye, an' if I don't never come, 
swar dat aftah de wah is over you'll l)ring back my boy to his 
home. Dey'll be some kind fren' left to bring him up right 
an' see dat he gets de old plantation." You knows, Gineral 
Deerin', dat I bring back de chile. {Looks at Mark — General 
nods.) 

Jack. 

An' yer own boy? 



34 

Dag MAR. 
I dun let' him up iu de mouutaius. 

Jack. 
Whar at? 

Dagmak. 
At de door of a widow woman's cabin. 1 dun wrap him 
\\V in a ole grey soljer coat. 

Jack. 
Any marks on the coat? 

Dagmak. 
Dey was tive lettahs uudah de collah — PL B. C. S. A. 
(slowly). 

Jack. 
I liev got the coat. An' if ye air a tellin' ther truth, I 
wur tliet thar baby. {Azalic buries face on General's shoul- 
der.) 

AZALIK. 

Oh, father! father! 

Jack. 
pjf ye air a tellin' ther truth. 

Dagmar. 
'Fore Heaven, 1 does, honey. 

Jack. 
I ain't a l)elievin' you. 

Dagmar. 
'Fore my maker. 

Jack. 
An' yit I'm a douhtin', fer a mothei ez would desert lier 
child 'ud lie to (lod. 

Dagmar. 
You don't understand, honey, ye don't understantl. J de- 
serted you foil your good. I knows de u])hill struggle dat de 
cullud boy has in de world. Yer skin was white — yer father 
was white; but yo' poh mother was marked wid jes' 'nougli 
black blood to make you a nigger. An' T didn't want it so, 
honey, an' I smothered de mother love in my bres' an' 
'ceived ye — 'ceived de worl', an' let ye grow up white — dat 
war my ambition — dat war my love. 

Jack. 
Yer love! Yer love! — tliet let me grow up a lie. Thet 
made me the richest man in Tennessee — thet gave me life 
filled with bright ho])es an' dreams — thet won fer me the 
hand of the dearest girl on earth. Ye let it all go on to the 
ha]ii)iest hour o' my life — and then yer mother's heart 
couldn't stand the strain any longer, an' you come in hyar an' 
curse me. Yer a ])urty mother, you are. {Turns airay.) 

Dagmar. 
Mark say you oughtn't to marry Miss Azalie. He say 
tain't right — 'twar all Mark. He make me speak. 



36 

Jack (hi caking in quick). 
All Mark! 'Conrso it war. Vo did everything I'er Mark. 
Ve left me u]) in tliei- nionntains to grow np in obseurity an' 
poverty— fer my riches only come jes' lately— but Mark, ye 
brung him back to civilization an' o])portunity. Mark got the 
raisin' — the eddication — the fortune — the name. 1 believe ye, 
mammy. 1 believe yer story, all 'ceptin' one point— yer left 
thet out. When ye thought to pass yer son off fei- wliite, yer 
ambition soared higher than the life of a poor mountaineer, 
an' so you left the C^olonel's baby up tbar, an' ye brought yer 
own down hyar. {Picture.) 

.Mark {crosses to Jack at C). 
You lie! 

Jack {facing him — controls himself). 
Vou're no gentleman, sah ! {Dagmar goes doivu L. hack 
of sofa. Mark tnrns airag <lon-n L. to Dagmar.) 

Major {crosses and takes Jack\s liand). 
General Deering, I, foh one, accept Mr. Rose's version of 
the story. {Goes up ('. with Chlotildc.) 

General. 
T must reserve my o])inion. 

Azalie. 
But T shan't reserve mine. 

General. 
Daughter 

Azalie. 
You know what it means to me, father — if what she tells 
is time. It means se])aration from him, and that would break 
my heart, for 1 love him — love him better than mv home; 
better than even you, father, for if he said the word T could 
leave you botli foi- liim. 

Jack. 
Azalie! 

Azalie. 
Jack, T don't believe it. You're white as snow. {Crosses 
to Mark, L.) Mark Briarson. this story is all trumped up, 
and it's made me hate you— hate you! Why, it isn't an hour 
since he asked me to marry him, and when I refused he 
said he'd come lietween us. And you all see how he's kept 
his word. But he shall make nothing by it. For I shall 
despise him always, and I'll be your wife. Jack, or never be 
the wife of any man. 

Jack, 
Azalie ! 

Azalie {points at Dagmar). 
Who would believe that creature? {Mark and Dagmar qo 
up L. Azalie crosses to sofa and sinks overcome.) 

General. 
Mr. Rose, I shall have to ask you to consider the engage- 



36 

meiit betAveen yoiirself and u\\ danghtor in al)eyanee till this 
mattei- can he cleared up. {To fjitcsts.) Fi-ien(ls, we shall he 
ohliged to hid yon all good niglit. {DcixirfKrc of (/iirsfs. 
(Jcut'Kil crossrs to Mark, L.) 

Ohlotilde {to Major, as tJieij exit R.). 
Poor Azalie! And Mr. Rose so rich, too! fsn't it funny? 

Major. 
Not a durned bit funny. {Exit iritit Chlofihle B. 3 E.) 

(tEneral {to Mark, up .staf/r L.). 
You dichi't liave to make it a public matter, sah. 

Mark. 
The situation forbade delay. 

General. 
I am the best judge of that, sah. 

Mark. 
I was excited. You'll thank me yet. {Exit L. Dagmar 
comes (loiDi ('. a i)lt.) 

General {to l)a(iuiar). 
Pack yourself otf. {Up stage C). 

Dagmar {fotds her arms, at Ixul,' R. ('.). 
T'se waitin' foil my son. 

General. 
Pack yourself otf, ti'ash! 

Dagmar. 
Trash! I'se a lady, T is. You insults me because T try 
to save the honah of you 'ah fam'ly. Good evenin', Gineral 
Deerin', good evenin', sah! {Exit door L., angrg.) 
General {comes cloirn to Jack and Azcdie). 
My children, I sym])athize with you. But you must both 
realize that it is best, at least for the ])resent, tliat you should 
part. 

Azalie (L., rises). 
Part ! 

Jack (7?.). 
I know. General. F'm goin' fer a short walk with the 
Major, then I'll come back fer a word with you. 

General. 
You'll find me in the library. 

Jack. 
Good night, Azalie. 

Azalie (advancing impulsively). 
Jack! {General stops her gently.) 

Jack. 
You needn't ter fear. General. Tf thar's a drop of 
black blood in me T wouldn't marry your daughter, if you'd 
offer her to me. T reckon T know what's right. T won't 
never speak another word of love to ver Azalie till I've nailed 
this lie. {Exit R.3E.) 



37 

AzALiE {goes to Sofa). 
(iood night, father. 

General. 
Good iiiglit, daughter. There, there — it'Jl all come right. 
{Goes B.) I haven't had anything shake me so since her 
]nother died. {Exit R. 1 E.) 

{Azalie goes to Kindow E., touches roses. Zeb Eane enters 
C, carrying rifie, followed on by Mark. Az(dle slips out win- 
do iv down E.) 

Zeb. 
I have a word for Gineral Deering. 

Maek. 
He is in there {indicating library door 11.). How are tlie 
folks f 

Zeb. 
Cindy's been sorter queer and restless since the child 
died. To-day she started down hyar an' I foUered her; but 
I lost the trail. 

Maek. 
She won't tell the name of the man, eh"? 

Zeb. 
No; an' she won't give him up, nutlier. She's my gal, an' 
when once Zeb Lane sets out to do a thing, that thiug's done, 
sooner or later. I f oiler her to get at him. 

Mark. 
That's right; her good name nmst be preserved. 

Zeb. 
>?o, no marryin'. H's bad enough as it is. I'm goin' to 
f oiler her till 1 lind thet man, an' when I do I'm goin' to kill 
him. {Azalie, who has been listening, draws further into E.) 
I hev a clue. Thar war marks on thet baby to show thet one 
of it's parents hed nigger blood in his veins, an' my Cindy's 
white. 

Mark. 
Then I can pi'ove to you that Jack Rose is the man. Dag- 
mar was just here and claimed him for hei' son before every- 
body. I can prove it by General Deering. Come. {Starts B.) 

Zeb {holding him by shoidder). 
But nuthin' to the Gineral about ther marks on ther child. 
I know it — (^indy's mother knows — an' you know. No other 
livin' bein' must know it, not even Cindy. 

Mark. 

You can trust me. We'll find the General in the library. 
{Exeunt door B. 1 E.) 

Azalie {re-entering through door E. 3 E. to C). 
They mean Jack. No, no ! I won't believe it. I must find 
him and warn him. {Goes to door B. U. E.; stops at Cindy's 
voice.) 



38 

(/iNDY {enters door ('. — anxioas — hurried). 
Dad! Dad! {Sees Azalie.) Wliar's dad? He come in 
liyar. He's l)eeii a-folleriii' me. W'liar is he? {Looking 
about.) 

AZALIE. 

(/indy! {Comes to her C.) Yon will save him? 

Cindy. 
Whar's dad? He come in hyar. 

AZALIE. 

He's in there {points to library door) with Mr. Briarson. 

CiNni' {erossing ton a rd, door). 
(^)ni('k, afore it's too late. 

AZALIE. 

He's hunting Jack Rose. 

Cindy {stops, turns irith back against door i}i surprise). 

.lack Rose! 

AZALIE. 

To kill him — to send a bullet through my heart. 

Cindy. 
Then it's Jack you love? Jack? 

AZALIE. 

Yes, yes! Your father accuses him of l)eing faithless to 
you — but it isn't true, say it isn't true! 

C^INDY. 

I'd die for Jack {erosses C.) if it would do any good. 

AZALIE. 

Y^ou accuse him then? 

Cindy. 

[ ain't accusin' no one. I'm hyar to see a guilty man 
made to gin me back my good name. No one thinks I hev a 
right to it. They all seem to think I ought to gin uyi fightin' 
for my no-account life; but I never will. T never will — till I 
die. {Buries fare on her arm.) 

AZALIE. 

Y^ou dare not call Jack guilty! 

Cindy. 

I must hev time to work fer my honor an' tell I do I won't 
accuse no man — nor clar no man. {Starts tojrard door L. 
3 E.) 

AZALIE. 

It is another man. I knew it! 

Cindy. 

I'm glad it's Jack ye love, but if you s]ieak yer mind 
afore I gin ye leave I'll swar thet all ye say is false. {Down 
C. to Aznlie.) I'm fightin' fer my life — my more than life — 
an' you must wait in silence till I've hed my chance. 

AZALTE. 

But he may return at any moment, and your father has 
sworn to kill him. 



39 

Cindy. 
Then go and warn liiui. I tliouglit ye loved another man. 
But, oh! I'm glad it's Jack. Now go. {Puslies Azalie up 
R. V. E.) 

Zeb {outside R.). 
Good evenin', Gineral. 

(^INDY. 

I'll meet dad. Ye've come to me like a voice in the wil- 
derness. Ye've giv me lio])e, an' I'll save the man ye love. 
Now, go — go. 

AZALIE. 

Yes, yes, — ^to warn Jack. {Exit R. U. E.) 

Zeb {outside). 
Thank ve, Gineral, ver offer's kindlv meant, but I kin 
'tend to this affair alone. {Entry R. I. E.) Cindy! 

Cindy, 
It's me, dad. {Both up C. somen-Jiat, not too tnucli.) 

Zeb. 
Ain't ye got no |)i"ide ter kee]) ye from follerin' a man as 
cast ye off when he onghter married ye? 

Cindy. 
Maybe he'll marry me now. dad; thet's what I come to 
see, ' 

Zeb. 
It's too late fer that. Yer child died without a name. Ye 
won't tell me who it was tliet brung this shame on ye, but I 
suspicioned who it was ever sence the night he brought ye 
liome in Gineral Deerin's kei'ridge; an' now I'm sartin'. 
Whar's yer s])erit, gal? Ye ougliter want revenge. He 
threw^ ye over fer the Gineral 's daughtei-. Now he's rich 
Jack Rose hayn't no more use fer Piney Ridge folks. 

Cindy, 
Take me home, dad. I'm tired. 'Tain't Jack Rose ye 
hev a right to kill. {Takes ZeJj's arm.) 

Zeb. 
We've gone too fer fer foolin'. All Piney Ridge is a 
])ointin' at ye — yer mother can't lift up her head fer shame. 
AYe've bore it all in silence; but some man owes me an ac- 
countin', an' the time hez come fer him to pay thet debt. Ye 
say Jack Rose hain't ther man — well, then, speak out — tell 
me his name. [Cindy turns head aivai/ — he forces her to 
knees.) I want thet man's name. By the Eternal! I'll make 
ye speak! 

Cindy. 
Don't ye know me better 'n to think I'd betray the man I 
love? Thar hain't no fear, no torture, thet could drive me 
to it. I'd die fer him an' be happy doin' it. I believe in him, 
I believe he's done the best fer lioth on us, an '11 make me 
his wife jest as soon as he kin, an' I'll wait fer him forever. 



40 

Zeb. 
An' I'll not wait an lionr. {Raises gun.) 

Cindy {rises to feet). 
Then find liini if ye kin. Ye 'II git no help from me. I 
won't tell ye his name. 

Zeb {going to her). 
Thar hain't n<» need. J see through all yer lies. I've 
found him already. 

Jack {o/f' stage C.) . 
All right, Major. 

Zeb. 
Thar's my man ! 

Cindy {turns doini hanp up (\ and ctiiigs to Zeh). 
No — no! taiu't Jack! — tain't him! {Forces him down 
stage a little.) 

Zeb. 
I've only one shot hyar! The Lord of Hosts is deliverin' 
my enemv into niv hands! {Ureakiiu/ ainni, partly raising 
ri'fie.) 

C^iNDY {rusltiiKf to door C). 
Jack! Jack! 

Zeb. 
Yer too late. (iSfarts up C. Site stops him.) 

C^NDY. 

No! No! I swar he ain't ther one! To kill an innocent 
man is murder! Wait! Justice will find him without yer 
stainin' yer hands with blood Yer shan't do it! {Struggles 
witli Zeh {Zeh gets L. side) for gun — tirists if out of ]iis 
hands.) Ye shan't do it! (Ruus up to door C. Fires gun 
off into air fhroiif/Ji door arch in ('.. fhot staggers down as 
jack enters C) I saved ye, Jack! 1 saved ve ! {Azalie 
enters R.) 

{Zeh starts to pick up rifle. Jacks steps on it and faces 
him over her. Azalie kneels over Cindy.) 

CURTAIN. 



41 

ACT III. 

At Piney Ridge. 

Scene 1: Exterior of Zeh Lauc's cahin at Piney Ridge the 
folloiving Sundoi/. — A irild, picture.sque moun- 
tain scene.- — Vie if of Moccasin Bend at Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn., tooking down into the valley. — 
Drop shoirs Tennessee River irinding through 
the valley in distance and, doirn. — A practical 
run from R. C. 8 up and off R. 4. — Small run off 
R down in I ''utrance. — A rude cahin in 2 left. — 
A rude hendi ai corner of calmi. — Two or three 
stumps. — A tripod with fire hurning L. C. oppo- 
site 3 in front of cahin. — Three stum^fs. 

Time: Late afternoon, cJianging to sunset a)id moonlight. 

Effect: Cm tain. — Music stops just before i-ise. — Pause. — 
Shot fired on stage. 

Discoveked at rise: Ruhe Holler, stahrart youiig mountain- 
eer, standing C. up stage holding rifle he has 
just fired. — Sile Bates and Sam Long, mountain- 
eers, L. loading rifles. — Zeke, an old monntain- 
eer, sitting on stump, L. C. ruhhing gun harrel. 
— Mrs. Lane, Cindy's mother, rough old woman, 
molding bullets at fire L. C. and chewing snuff 
sticks. — Mark Briarson reclining on center run. 
— Riihe comes to R. corner at top of small run 
to small rose hush on u-Jiicli a rose is hanging 
hy broken stent. 

MvHK Holler. 
C/Ut tlier steiiL {lireaks off rose, puis it in buttonhole.) 
Tliet's how I'll cut him off. [Crosses to L. and gets bullet 
of Mrs. Lane, loads rifie.) He hadn't orter be let live, ther 
oriiery cuss. 

Zeke. 
The ornery cuss! {R.uhblng gun barrel.) 

Mrs. Lane. 
Amen! sez 1 — it being' Sunday. (Tliis atu-ays said u-itl> a 
malif/nant, satirical expression.) 

Rube. 
Thar's a slug with my compliments to Mr. Jack Rose. 
{Ramming it do am in rifle, muzzle loader.) 

Mrs. L. 
Amen ! sez 1 — it bein ' Sunday. 

Rube. — (Crossing to R.) 
I didn't 'low he hed ther nerve to show his head on ther 
Ridge agin. C-ounts on his money, raebbe, gol dern him ! 



42 

Zeke. — (Drairl this out — ruhhinf/riolcNflij — everij time.) 

Gol — dern — Jiim 

Rube. 
I don't Mow as Zeb'll settle I'er casli. Leastwise thar's 
others as can't he bought. (Jol dern him ! 

Zeke. 

(toI — dern — him 

Mrs. L. 
Amen! sez I — it bein' Sunday. 

Rube.— (Tr> Marh.) 
Did ye hear him say any pertieulars? 

Mark. — {Comes doint to L. C.) 
No. He was talking with Major .lartree at the Chatta- 
nooga House bar. As I passed them I just caught the words, 
"I'll go u]) to-morrow and see Zeb Lane." 

Mrs. L. 
It bein' Sunday. 

Rube. 
Goin' to steal in an' out like a fox, eh? AVal, I never 
drawed a bead on one of them varmints wethout T fotched 
him. {Points gnu. Mark (joes up L. Men go off L.) 

Mark. 

You'll soon have your chance. {Exit L. tjehind eabin.) 

Rube. 
Thet's all I'm })rayin' fer. {Enter (Unieial ond Azcdie 
dotrn run R. U. E.) 

(lENERAL. — ( Co m ing doiin . ) 
Look out for your footing, daughter; this i)ath is danger- 
ous. {To RiiJje.) Does Mr. I^ane live here? 

Rube. 
I reckon he do, (lineral Deerin'. 

General. 
Why, Mr. Holler, how are you? {Offers hand.) 

Rube. — {ShaJies liand nitlt General.) 
Fust rate, Gineral. 

General. 
How's the Ridge? 

Rube. 
Goin' to elect you Governor. 

General. — ( Laughs. ) 
My daughter, Mr. Holler. {Azalie comes doioi rim, bows 
to Rulje ; he salutes her.) 

Rube. 
Gineral Deerin'. Mrs. Lane. 

General. — {Crossing to Mrs. Lane.) 
Madam, this is a pleasure. {Mrs. L. nods head with stiff 
jerk.) This is my daughter Azalie. {Azalie hows; Mrs. Ij. 
same.) Is your husband at home? 



43 

Mrs. ^J. 
Tie's goiu! to clnu'cli, it bein' Sini<lay. T never attend, not 
bein' a "perfesser". {Azalle looking about ivith interest.) 

General. 
We took the lil>erty of ealling to inquire about your daugh- 
ter. 

Mrs. L. — {Lights all (loan ttipe, at C's entrance.) 
Cindy f Thar's my darter, {Music Enter Cindy from 
cabin; carries e((rthen water pitcher; crosses to R. 1, noticing 
no one.) 

General. 
She is well, tlien? 

Mrs. L. 
Kinder peek-ed. I'm a leetle af eared of her head. Zeb 
hed a sister wlmt died in the 'sylum. {Aside to General.) 

General, 
Speak to her, Azalie. 

xlzALiE, — {To Cindy at R.) 
Don't you remember me, Cindy! {To her — lou\) You 
saved liis life that night. — save his honor now. 

Cindy. 
Kain't ye hev no patience? 

Azalie. 
Not wlien my heart is ))reaking. 

Cindy. 
Women's hearts were made, to break. Afore he comes 
back from the No'th mebbe I won't need ter speak — mebbe 
the danger'll be past. {To Mrs. L.) I'm goin' to the spring, 
ma'am. {Exit R. over smcdl run. Lights up.) 

Mbs. L. 
Used ter go to ther spring ter meet — him ! {With hatred.) 

Rube. 
An' she goes thar now every evenin' an' waits fer the 
traitor ez never comes. 

General. — {Coming down a bit.) 
Has she never revealed his name! 

Rube.— (i?, C.) 
Never. She are just a woman. I loved C^indy; I love her 
yet, {Azalie comes down.) Thar's a rose fer ye. Miss Deerin'. 
{Gives her the rose he shot from bush; crosses to Mrs. L. at 
L. C.) But it are not the Rose I'd lay at the feet o' Cindy 
Lane. {Piclis up rifle and exits L. behind cabin.) 

Mrs. L. 
My Cindy hed ther whole Ridge a runnin' arter her once't. 

Azalie. — {Crosses to L. to Mrs. Lane.) 
Is there anvthing we can do, Mrs, Lane? 

Mrs. L, 
Nuthin'. Ez my ole man says, it all rests wetli ther Lord, 
It bein' Sunday. {Exit into cabin.) 



44 

AZALIE. 

Let lis go, father. {Thci/ sfaii fo fjo. Met hij Majof, irho 
conn's (loirit run R. 4 E.) 

Major. — {Cotucs C. on run, /iu.slwd face, excited nuniner.) 
All! here voii are. Tliev told me over at the liotel I'd find 
you heah. Whew ! I'm hot and thirsty. {At C.) 

AzALiE. — {Neai' cabin. Picks up dipper from bench). 
Here's a dipper. I'll run down to the spring and get you 
a cold drink of pure mountain water. (Crosses to run R. 
1 E.) 

Major. — {Crossing to her R.) 
It isn't my tipple, but any drink from youli hand would 
be neetah. 

AzALiE. — {Aside — at run. ) 
I must speak to her. I know my Jack is not the man. 
{Exit over small run R.) 

{Enters Mark L. 3 and goes to R. C. Sees Major, stops.) 

Mark. 
Hello, Major! 

Major. — {Seated R. on stiiDip.) 
Hello, Briarson ! 

(rENERAL. 

Well, Mark, where did you come from? 

* Mark. 
I'm out for trout. Knew you were at the Mountain View 
Hotel. Was just going over to ask the favor of i-iding home 
with you; my nag has gone lame. 

General. 
AVhat's the news, Major I 
Major. — {All during this scene Major has shon-u suppressed 
excitement, and is l)ruscjue uith Briarson.) 
C^olonel Gordon informs me that the Mem])his Uelegation 
has swung over to you. 

General. 
That's good. {C.) 

Major. — {Rises; comes foiicard a bit.) 
But I've come to inform you that youali name must not go 
befo' that convention to-morrow. 

General. — {Surprised.) 
Why, Major— 

Major. 
The Democracy of Tennessee names you for youah finan- 
cial standing — youah commercial integrity 

General. 
AVell, sir, are they cliallengedl 

Major. 
They are. 

General. 
Bv whom? 



45 

Major. 
I5y mo, your friend, who is hero to save yon from n catas- 
trophe. 

General. 
You astonish me. 

Major. 
General Deering, you're a ruined man. Your bank, that 
people call a house of steel, is a house of straw. {Turns to R.) 
General. — {Striding up to him.) 
Major Jartree, are you drunk I 

Major. — {Points to Mark.) 
Your trusted cashier will vouch for the sober truth of my 
utterances. 

General. — {Turns to Mark; crossing to him.) 
Well, Briarson, can't you speak, sir! 

Mark. — ( Trembling. ) 
It's a mistake — a delusion of the Major's. 

General. 
Give me the whole of it, Major; hold nothing back. 

Major.— (i?. C.) 
Last week 1 received a letter from a friend in New Orleans 
saying it was whispered there in business circles that Deering 
and Company were bulling the cotton market. {Mark sinks on 
stump L.) 

General. 
Why didn't you inform me at once? 

Major. 
Because — forgive me, General — 1 feared you might be in 
on the deaL 

General. 
My hands are clean. 

Major. 
I know that now; but, you see, in every morning's mail 
there was a letter from Simpson and (^ompany to Deering and 
Company. 

General. 
I never saw one. 

Major. 

Briarson looked out for that 

Mark. — {Jumping up. ) 
Jartree, you've gone far enough. 

Major. 
I'm going further. This letter came yesterchiy afternoon. 
{Takes letter from pocket, hands it to General.) 

Mark. 

I protest 

General. 
At my opening a letter addressed to me? {Breaks seal; 
reads.) From Simi)Son and (*ompany to Deering and Com- 
])anv. A demand foi' ton thousand for margins — 



46 

Major. 

I've been over his books; they're full of false entries. 

There isn't ten thousand easli on hand. There are entries 

and bUink papers in ])hiee of bonds and securities, which he 

has pledged to keej) up his infernal speculations. 

Mark. — {Coming to General.) 

I'll make good — I'll win out 

General. 
You villain ! 

Mark. 
I'll scpiare everything up. 

General. 

One hundred thousand to meet the first 

Mark. 
I'll sell my plantation. 

Major. 
It's mortgaged now for more than it's worth. 

General. 
Defaulter! Thief! 

Major. — {Near General.) 
And the worst is behind. He's carried on his transactions 
in your name; he's so compromised you that should you run 
for Governor you'll defeat your party at the polls. 
General. — {Grasping IJriarsoit \s throat.) 
Scoundrel ! 

Mask. — {On one knee.) 
No, No! Keep it quiet. Accept the nomination. Your 
friends will see you through. 

General. — {Enraged. ) 
You blackleg! You dare to pro])ose such a course of dis- 
honor to me! Damn you! {Snatehes frhip from Mark, strikes 
him, then reeoils. Mark falls R. General recovers himself — 
intense, quiet passion.) I have owned slaves, but you are the 
first human being I ever struck with a whip. And you, that 
I have loved and trusted as a son ! Hardin Briarson was my 
boyhood friend, my companion in arms. He whispered his 
dying message in my ear; his last words were, "Look out 
for my son." His son! No, sir; I can't believe you the son 
of such a father. {Mark rises.) 

Major. 
Back breed, General; back breed. {Mark goes irp R. as 
Major crosses; General to L.) 

General. 
Bankrupt ! Bankrupt ! 

Major.— (L. C.) 
General, I was in your regiment in '02. I've been in your 
bank ever since you started. You can count on me for all 
I'm worth. 

General, 
Thank you. Major. But I reckon we're swamped. {UpC.) 



47 

Makk.— (/^. C. up.) 
Well, what are you going to do? 

Major. — {Goes up L. C.) 
You're going to jail, sah. 

General, 
No, no, Major. {Crosses to Mark at foot of large run C.) 
Leave Tennessee to-night! {Briarxon exits over l)ridge K. 

E.) For tlic second time in my life 1 stand looking at ruin. 
When the lighting was over 1 returned home to tind a mother- 
less girl — the plantation overgrown with hrush and weeds — 
and a dismantled house standing open to the wind and rain. 

1 met the issue squarely. 1 had youth and courage. It was a 
struggle — only those wlio went through can understand. But 
I succeeded — I've lived to see my State i)rosperous again — 
and to-morrow her tirst citizens would name me for their Gov- 
ernor. I can surrender my ambition — hut the Bank! — to close 
its doors in the face of people crying for their money — 
money entrusted to my honor — well, T have faced death be- 
fore. But my daughter, my Azalie! There's where my heart 
breaks. {Sinks on stiinip R. Major on stump L.) 

Jack. — {Off L. Nois(\^ of Jiorses' Jwofs.) 
Whoa, thar! {Jack enters L. from Jjehind eahin. Comes 
to C.) W^hy, Major! How air ye? 

Major. — {Not tookiuij up.) 
Mr. Rose! 

Jack. 
Howdy, General? 

General. — {Looks up in surprise, tlien turns head.) 
Mr. Rose! 

Ja(Mv. 

.)es' got luu'k from New York; conic up bere to see Zeb 
Lane. {A pause; looks froin one lo other, flien to Major.) 
What's the row? Bank busted? 

Major. 
Busted, 

Jack. 
Account o' that durned cashier? 

Major. 
Account o' him. 

Jack. 
Shoo! He couldn't bust nothin'. 

( I ENERAL. ( Rises.) 

Mr. Rose, to-morrow morning my bank closes forever. 

Jack. 
Thunder! Then you can't run fob Governor? 

General. 
I shall be obliged to decline the nomination. 

Jack. 
Look liyar! That New York syndicate jjaid me two hun- 



48 

dred thousand dollars for my mine and its all alayin' in the 
ox})ress office down at Chattanooga. Reckon that would tide 
you over! {To Major.) 

Majoh. 
I reckon; way over. {Rises.) 

Jack. 
()l)en your doors as usual to-morrow mornin' — I'll swing 
in line — deposit that two hundred thousand — an' Deering's 
hank '11 stand as solid as the I'ocks of the Tennessee mount- 
ains. 

General. 
As a man of lionah I must refuse. 

Jack. 
Gineral Deering, I'm in youh l)ank now foh over forty 
thousand doUahs. If the bank busts I lose my money. F'>ut 
sho! what's the use? The Major warned me tlie night o' the 
l^arty — that's what hurried me off to New York so fast. 1 
come to you as a man of business ; as a man of business, sah, 
you are bound to accept. 

General {imjjulsireli/ sJiak'nig his lunul). 
Mr. Rose, you're a white man. 

Ma.jor. 
Mr. Rose, you're a perfect southern gentleman. 

Jack. 
You'll accept? 

General. 
Yes, sah. 

Ma.jor. 
You bet, sah. 

Jack (C. I'discs hat). 
Then I'll cast my first vote foh (Jineral Decrin', the next 
(Jovernor of Tennessee. 

General {goes up to run C). 
Come, Major. {Turns uifh great feeling.) God bless 
you, sah. 

Jack {turning carelessly anag, cros.scs to L.). 
Oh, that'll be all right. {General goes up to ru)) as Azalie 
comes on from run R. 1 E.) 

Major {crossing, (iencral goes up run o). 
Look out foil yourself, up here, sah. {On run R. U. E.) 

General. 
You may be in danger. 

Azalie {sees Jack). 
Jack! Jack! You shouldn't come here. {())i small run 
R.l.) 

Jack. 
I had to come, iVzalie. 

Azalie {goes to General, R. C.). 
Father, he is risking his life. 



49 

Jack. 
You needn't to fear for me. J was brouglit up in these 
hills. I've got a heap o' friends on the Ridge an' Zeb Lane 
will think twice before making any trouble. I can take care 
of myself. 

Major ( up on run). 
I'll give odds on you every time, sah. {Major cxifs over 
run 3.) 

Jack. 
Gentlemen, I'll see you in the molinin'. 

(tENERAL. 

Good night, Mr. Rose. (Goes up run.) Come, Azalie, 
{General folio irs Major off.) 

Azalie {turns on run). 
Jack — 

Jack. 
Azalie — 

AZALIE. 

1 love you — I believe in you — I'll wait for you foi'ever. 
{Throws hi)n the rose — e.vits overrun.) 

Jack. 
I'll come back for you, sure. {Pieks up rose.) I 'd rather 
stand hyar holdin' this flower than be governor. {Enters 
Mrs. Lane from cabin, stares at Jaelx.) Howdye, Mrs. Lane? 
{Advances — offers hand — she picks np hullet mold.) Zeb 
home? {She turns an-aij.) Look hyar, ]\rrs. Lane, you ain't 
goin' ter condemn me without a hearin', be ye? 

Mrs. Lane {tvrns to him shnvly as .she speaks). 
Thar's nuthin' so becomin' a fool ez a shet mouth. 

Jack. 
An' so you're kee})in' nuun. 

Mks. L. {points (if him thr('al('}ii))(/fii). 
I liyan't a argeefyin' — my ole man 'II do all tliet. He's ])in 
a argeein' religion ter me fer twenty years. He's to church 
now — it bein' Sunday. 

Jack. 
Wal, ye got somethin' ter say! 

Mrs.' L. 
I could speak a leetle o' my mind to you-uns if Zeb liedn't 
a toted his rifle along wetli him. 

Jack. 
Toted his rifle, eh? Why, T thought Zeb was too good a 
church member ter do any shootin' to-day — it bein' Sundav. 

* Mrs. L. 
He'll be a comin' home terectly. 

Jack. 
Now, look hyar, Mrs. Lane — I heard some ugly talk down 
the mountain associatin' me with this affair of Cindy's. Now, 
I want to tell vou it's a lie! 



50 

Mks. L. 
Ye '11 hev to do yer talkin' with Zeb. 

Jack. 
That's what I'm liyar fer. {Folio icing her as she goes to 
cabin.) Ain't ye goin' to invite me in to wait fer him? 
Mrs. L. {at cabin door, turns on him). 
We-uns air not entertainin' gentlemen o' yer color to-day. 
{Exits, shuts door.) 

Jack. 
That's what I'm goin' to get everywhar. {Turns.) 
Cindy's got to talk, {(iocs up run rapidlg; tvhen half ivay 
up a shot fired off ; L. behind cabin; Jack falls on run. Enter 
Rnbe Holler from behind cabin; goes to foot of run; Jack 
rises suddenly, revolver concealed at side.) 

Jack. 
That's a tine way to say "liowdye do" to a feller; yon 
want to go learn how to shoot. {Rube rceods to C. at foot of 
run.) Rnhe Holler, this ain't no affair o' yourn. I hev got 
the right to kill yon {bringing pistol up slou'lg as he says 
tJiis). I'm sorry fer yer widowed mother an' yer little sisters. 
{Said in tone as if he intended to shoot — then abrupt.) I 
make you a present to youali fambly, sah. {Exits c[uick over 
run R. 3.) 

{Enter Mrs. Lane and mountaineers from cabin and back.) 

Mrs. L. 
Did yer shoot, LJnhef 

Rube {in dazed surprise, lookiu<i off). 
Yep. 

Mrs. L. 



What at? 
Nuthin'. 
Did ye hit it? 
No. 



KUBE. 

Mrs. Lane. 
Rube. 



Mrs. L. 
Thar's a jug o' cohn juice on ther table, boys. 

Rube. 
All right. {Follou-ing others into cabin, in disgust.) I 
want ter load up. 

Mrs. Lane {as all exit into cabin, stage getting dark). 
Ye want to hurry afore Zeb gits home or he'll be callin' 
fire an' brimstone down on us, it bein' Sunday. {Exit into 

cabin.) 

Cindy {enters over run R. 1, comes slowly to stump R, 
puts large jug of water she carries on stump as if 
resting). 
"Tlie Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." {Lifts jug 



51 

and places it on bench at corner of cabin. L. leans against 
Junise.) "He leadetli me beside the still watei's ; He restoreth 
my soul — my soul. {Hides her face against the cabin and 
sobs.) 

{Enter Mark over B. U. E.) 

Maek. 
His horse is still tied to that tree behind the cabin. With- 
out that horse he can never get away alive. {Starts down to 
cross L. — loud laugh in cabin — he stops, R. C. — Cindy turns 
and walks slowly up stage, not seeing Mark till end of speech.) 
No! that's not safe! they might mistake me for him and send 
a bullet after me. 

Cindy {sees Mark). 
Mark! Mark! {Rmshes to him, throning herself into his 
arms.) I've been a-waitin' fer ye — I've been a-waiting' a 
long time. 

Maek. 
They'll hear you! 

Cindy. 
Hev ye come to take me? 

Maek. 
I can't take you now, for I'm going into great danger. 

Cindy. 
Ye kain't go into no greater danger than yer in here. 

Maek. 
No one suspects the truth. 

Cindy. 
But I kin tell the truth, an' I will ef ye don't do me justice. 
Ef ye ain't man enough to keep yer word, I'll make ye. 

Maek. 
What will you do? 

Cindy. 
In a few minutes dad '11 come down thet path. {Points off 
run R, Briar son starts fearsomely.) At a word from me, 
Mark Briarson, ye '11 be dead. 

Maek. 
You'll kill me, for revenge? 

Cindy {tenderly and intensely) . 
No ; I'll save ye fer love. Dad thinks its Jack Rose an ' will 
kill him on sight, ez he will you, ef I tell. 

Maek. 
But you will not. {Show great fear.) 

Cindy. 
I won't let an innereent man stay in this danger no longer. 
Thar air only one way ter save yerself — make me yer wife. 

Maek. 
But if we go together it will betray me. 

Cindy. 
Ye must take the chance — ef I speak afore we're marri(ul, T 



52 

kill you; el 1 don't si)eak afore Jack comes back from the 
No 'til his life may pay fer oin- sin. Ye must go, Mark, right 
away. {Clinging to hiyyi.) 

Maek. 
Yes, yes, yon'i'e right — I will go. See if my horse is still 
there. {Motions to cabin. She goes np (uul tooks off L. 3 E.) 
He'll carry double. {Aside.) If 1 can get that horse away 
he'll never reach the valley alive. {Peering olxnit. Ldugli 
from cabin.) 

Cindy. 
He's tliar — slip over the bridge an' meet me at the old 
cedar. I'll lead him round by ther main road an' jine ye thar, 
Mark, arter I'm yer wife; ye won't blame me fer this, will ye? 
Kemember, it's to save yer life, too; et's love thet makes me, 
'deed, it is, Mark. 

Mark. 
I know, I know; I'll make it all up to you. 

Cindy. 
Oh, Mark, Mark. 

Mark. 
There, there; it will all come right; now, go, l^efore they 
hear us. 

Cindy. 
Oh, Mark, how I've wronged ye. 

Mark. 
• Be ciuick ! make no noise, 

C^indy {starts to go, j)auses, looks at cabin). (L. C. ; 
looks at him.) 
I'll be a-waitin' fer ye — at the old cedar, {('indji exits 
behind (obin L. o E.) 

Mark. 
Out of all this jumble, she works only for me. {Looks off' 
L.; laugliter in house.) She has the horse in tow; once in that 
saddle I'll never stop 'till I reach the bank — draw out the 
cash — and then, General Deering, I'll leave Tennessee. 
{Starts to go up run R. o E., is met by dark, n'ho enters.) 

Jack {on run). 
By lightnin', yer the very feller T want to see. 

Mark. 
What do you want? 

Jack. 
Last time we met you insulted me. 

Mark {sneers). 
Did I? 

Jack. 
Thar were ladies present — 

Mark. 
Well— 



53 

Jack. 
Yon called mc a liar. (Slops him 'tn face.) 

Mark {snarls). 
All! {Tliey grapple, Mark trying to draw gun, struggle 
donn to C. Enter Rube and others from cabin irith guns, 
Mrs. L. irith lantern.) 

Omnes. 
A fight! a figlit! a fight! {Enter Zeh Lane over bridge 
down to C, carries rifle.) 

Zeb. 
What's this yere, a fight afore my doors, to-night? {Seizes 
Briarson.) Stop it! Stop it! {Holds Bria>rson, others hold 
Jack L. C. a trifle up.) Fetch a light. {Mrs. L. ludds lantern 
up to Mark's face, crossing to C.) Mr. Briarson! Who's 
tother? {Lantern turned on Jack.) Jack Rose ? 

Jack {struggling to get at Briarson). 
Let me get at him; let me settle it with him. {Breaks 
aivay and comes down R. C, stopped by Zeb.) 

Zeb. 
Ye '11 settle it fust with me. 

Jack {facing Zeb at C, Jack on left, Zeb on right). 
That's what I'm hyar for — to talk it over (|uietly with 
yon — bnt the sight of that moccasin set me afire. 

Zeb. 
The sight o' you sets the fire of righteous wrath a blazin' 
in me. 

Jack. 
I never wronged yer Cindy, if thet's yer meanin'. 

Zeb. 
Thet's my meanin'. 

Jack. 
Whar's yer proof? 

Zeb. 
Ther child were marked — Dagmar's yer mother. 

Rube {to ivhom Zeb handed his rifle as he separated 
Jack and Mark, handing Zeb his rifle). 
Kill him, Zeb. 

Zeb. 
T will — {Crossing to Rube and taking rifle.) 

Jack. 
Wait. {R. of Zeb.) 

Zeb. 
I won't hyar ye. 

Jack. 
Ye must — down in ther valley thar's an old man I love — 
he's in trouble an' I promised to meet him in ther mornin' an' 
hel]) him out. His honor's at stake; let me go now nn' I swar 
I'll come back hyar at this hour to-morrow niglit. 



54 

Mrs. L. 
Don't yer do it, Zeb. 

Zeb {lifts gun). 
No! 

Jack {C, taking hold of gnn barrel and pointing at 
Mark). 
Then send yer bullet through him, too — Did ye never 
ausi^ect him? Who tirst told ye Dagmar was my mother! 

Zeb. 
Briarson? 

Jack. 
Briarson — who was it l)rouglit the woman into General 
Deerin's ter claim me fer her son? Briarson, I've told ye 
why I'm hyar; ask him why he's lurkin' 'round yer cabin 
after dark. 

Mark. 
It's a trick to escape you. 

Jack. 
Call Cindy an' let her decide it. 

Mark. 
She won't speak. 

Jack. 
I'm ready to face her, why do you object? 

Zeb. 
Call ther gal. 

Mrs. L. 
She air down to the spring. 

Jack {looks off bridge R.). 
No! Thai' she is a holdin' my boss. {Snrjjrisc) 

Zeb. 
Wharf 

Jack. 
Thar. {Points off R. U.) Bv ther old cedar. 

Zeb." 
By the everlastin', she's thar. 

Jack {never taking eyes froyyi Mark, alert, tense). 
I left that boss behind the cabin. 

Zeb. 
How'd she get him thar! 

Jack. 
Must a led him fer some one who wanted to git the boss 
without alarmin' the bouse. 

Mark {eagerly). 
And who would that be but you? {Points at Jack.) 

Jack. 
You— 

Mark. 
Absurd. 



55 

Jack. 
Leave it to Cindy. 

Zeb. 
She air a comin' toward us. 

Jack. 
Now, then, whoever she's holdin' that lioss fer she'll go 
to. I'm willin' to stand liyar and take my chance. {Stands 
down C, Mark starts off' run B. 1.) 

Zeb. 
Stan, whar ye be, Briarson. {Levels gun at Mark, n-Jio 
stops on, run.) We'll see this thing out! I'll shoot ther fust 
man thet moves! {Zeb and Mrs. L. tnick into cabin, only end 
of gun barrel appearing in door, others behind cabin. Jack 
stands C, Briarson half n-ay up small run, down B. Cindy 
appears on bridge B. 3 E.) 

Cindy {coming slowly dotrn main run B. U.). 
What's keepin' you-uns? Air thet you standin' thar, Jack 
Rose? {Zeb and others raise hammers of guns and rush out. 
Cindy rushes dou'n to Jack — screams.) Ye sliayn't tech liim ! 
Ye sliayn't tech him! 

Mark {rouiinf/ dmin to foot of run //.). 
T told you it was all a trick. (Cindy looks at Marl: in 
Jiorror.) 

Zeb {raises rifle). 
Jack Rose, yer my man ! 

Jack. 
Wait ! 

Zeb. 
No! 

Jack. 
Ye musi ! I'll hold her 'twixt yer bullets an' me! {Su'ing 
iu(l Cindif around to Ij. of him.) 

Zeb. 
Ye coward! {Briarson steals up and off' bridge B. during 
this.) 

Jack. 
T ain't afraid — I'm lookin' down yer giuis without a 
tremble! But if I'm goin' down I'm goin' down a-fightin'. 
This cal's got ter speak ther ])lain truth. Cindy, did ye bring 
thet boss fer me! 

Cindy {tvildli/). 
No! No! 

Jack. 
Then ye brought it fer him! {Turns — sees Mark gone.) 
Fer him! — an' he's gone — he's run away — the coward's run 
away! {Goes up to foot of main run in triumph.) 
Cindy {rushing to B. 2 E.. wildly). 
He's got ther boss! Ah! Run, Mark, run — run! (Laughs 
wildly. Falls on knees at stump B. down stage.) 



56 

Jack. 
Yer daughter's spoke at last! Now, then, Zeb Lane, if yer 
want to shoot me — blaze away! 

{Cindy R., Jack trifle R. of C, Zeb L. of C, Mrs. L. L. of 
C, others L. up.) 

CURTAIN. 



57 



ACT IV. 

Scene: The old Briarscm Mansion — evening of Deeemher 
31st, same year. 

Set: A (iiiainf, pietnresciue room in a verii old-fashioned 
Southern ma)ision. Reuinant of old splendor — 
faded ir<dls — (dd paintinr/s — faded tapestries, 
ete. — all neat hut u-orn. Door 11. 2 E. leading 
off into kitehen. Pidctical fireplaee R. 1 E. with 
fire hurning. Door L. 1 E. leading in from snow 
exterior. Staircase leading up to raised windoiv 
in fiat R. C; irindotr opens out, practiced. Prac- 
tical French windoii- in fiat L. C, reaching to 
within 2 feet of fioor — hacked hg snow land- 
scape. Falling snow seen through ivindoivs. Old 
haircloth furniture. Old sideboard up stage in 
L. corner between windoir and door. Dishes for 
setting table on it. Stjuare t<dde — plain — partlg 
set for sujrper R. in front of fireplace. An old 
chair or tiro at talile. Table set for one onlg. 
(Practiced loch: and keg on door L. 1 E.) 

Music for Rise: At rise, faint winter sunset, fading out soon 
after rise, succeeded bg moonlight , '^ Susannah, 
don't you cry.'' 

Discovered: Bnsy at fable — old mulatto n-on)an (Mammy 
SiTMMEHs) Susannah 's mother — turbanned — 
gingham dress — slian I for head. 

(Enter Susannali from kilchen, dancing, a })ie, hot, in 
hands; places it on fable R. 2 E.) 

Susan. 
Look, manniiy, didn't my pie come out nice? 

Mammy. 
Fust rate. 'Bout time fer Marse Jack ter come home. 

Susan (coming around to C). 
Dey's a student's l)all at de '(^ademy ter-night. 

Mammy. 
He won't come till late, den. 

Susan (C). 
De cullud gen 'men's culture club gib a })ahty ter-niglit, 
Mammy. Kin I go? 

Mammy. 
Who's youah cavalieah? 

Susan. 
Abe Moonlight, 

Mammy (going to her C). 
Dat no-count nigger? Look higher, gal. When you choose 



58 

a husban', choose a lahyer or a doctali, or a barber — or some 
sicli per-fessional gen 'man. 

Susan ( wJi iinperlng). 
But I clone promise Abe, an' lie's comin' to ax yon. 

Mammy. 
Den I'll unpromise 'im! {Su.sdniKih erics, crosses R.) 
Now, don't cry — I'se gwine ter fin' you a more stylish lieau. 

SX'SAN. 

I don't want you ole stylish beau. 

Mammy. 
I knows what you want, cliile, l)ettairn you does you'self. 

Susan. 
Yes; you ole folks always a-thinkin' dat you knows what 
de young wolks wants bettah'n dey does dey selves — an' dat's 
de reason dey's so many mis 'able mar-re-ages. (Cries.) 

Mammy. 
G'long! Take de res' o' dem ])ies outen de oven. 

Susan. 
Yas, ma'am. (I'J.rif U. '1 E., .suir<'linf/.) 

Mammy (at table, tdking up snidll pepper-pot). 
Lordy ! Dat fool gal ! She done imt red ])eppah in dat pie ! 
(L. of table, hnocl- at door L., timid.) Come in! 

{Enter Abe MoonlifjJit, block. HoutJieni darJcei/, pathetic 
voice, timid manner, poor clotlies, nilttens on string, general 
poor ntake-up.) 

Abe (at door, leariiif/ if open). 
FiVenin', Mis' Suuunahs. 

Mammy. 
Come in, Mistah Moonlight. {Brnsiiuc) Shot de dooh. 

Abe {does so). 
Golly! Dis am de coldes' weathah dat 1 ebah see in Ten- 
nessee. 

^NTammy. 
How's de fremometer? 

Abe {sits on edge of cluiir L. ('.). 
De fremometer am so low in spirits dat it done retire from 
business. 

Mammy. 
Hab a cheer. 

Abe {rises and sits doint again in same chair). 
Thank ye. — Say, kin you tell fohtunesf 

Mammy. 
'Deed I kin, honey. 

Abe {rising and coming slonlg C). 
An' ye knows conjure? 

Mammy {at table R.). 
'Couse I do. Is'e de sebenth darter ob de sebenth darter. 
{Goes to R. side of table. Mysterious.) 



59 

Abk (sddJ//). 
I ain't a fed in' right. 

Mammy. 
1 notice dat — lookiii' kinder peakish. (lot dark circles 
under youah eyes. 

Abe {crosses, sits L. of table, puts hat on ftooi\ old 
derby.) 
Dat's all on 'count ob a gal. 

Mammy, 

Gal, hull? {Gets cards from mantel.) Lemme look inter 

der kyards. Cut dem free times. {He does so with fearsome 

manner, no flourish or funny business.) Now, lemme see. 

{She examines cards spread out on table.) You'se in love. 

{He heaves a deep sigh and smiles.) But a dark woman am 

gwine ter cross youah path. {Menace in tone; he sobers. 

Reading cards.) You' sweetheart am gwine ter prove you 

false. Dah's a journey for you. {Meaningly and slow; looks 

at door behind liim; he (dso.) You'se gwine to a ball, but not 

wid de idol ob you' heart. {Putting cards on mantel; turns 

to pie.) Oh, heah am one ob Susannah's pies, jes' outen de 

oben. Hab a piece? {Cuts large slab out of pie.) 

Abe {smdes expectantly). 

You'se bery kind. Don't git pie much. 

Mammy {gives him pie). 
Dis am a])plo ]iie. You like spice in you' apple pie? 

Abe. 
Yes, ma'am. {Tal-cs big bite eagerly, then stops.) 

Mammy. 
What's de matter? Too warm! 

Abe. 
No, ma'am, jes' right. {Picks up hat from floor; rises; 
blows; fans mouth with large mitten he ivears.) 

Mammy, 
Susannah am a fine cook. How you like dat seasonin'? 

Abe. 
Dat's hot stuff. {Crosses to L.) 

Mammy. 
You isn't gwine till yon finish it? 

Abe. 
I'll finish it on my way home. {Aside at door.) Gord ! 
I'm scorched clar to my toes ! {Quick exit L.) 

Mammy {sits L., bursts out laughing). 
I roasted dat coon out. 

{Enter Sitsannali R., witli shaui and hat; places them on 
sofa up R.) 

Mammy, 
He's gone. Reckon he gwine to take some othah gal. 
I don't care. Say, Mammy,»Mr, Johnson, he didn't bring 
dat turkev what von order for to-morrow dinner. 



60 

Mammy {pittfiiifj oji .ska id). 
Dat so? I bettali nui 'cross and see ahont dat. You 'tend 
to iMarse Jack's sii])i)ali when lie come. Den you scoot home. 
Tell Marse Jack 1 won't be back to-night. IJcd i)ei)pers! 
{Exit R. 2 F., laughing.) 

Susan {lookhtg off' //.). 
I hope Abe 'I I come back. {Enter Ahe L.) 

Susan {goes to tahle 11.). 
Hi! Come an' liab sumfin' to eat. 

Abe. 
Thank you! T just had a snowball. 

Susan. 
TTab a piece of my pie. {Alxnit to cut it.) 

Abe. 
Thank you ! 1 had a i)iece. 

Susan {ruts pie). 
Hal) 'nother. 

Abe {coming to C). 
Say! You want to cremate me? Taste dat. 

Susan {does so). 
TJm ! red ])epiiers! Did Mammy give you a ])iece of (hat? 
{Laughs.) 

A BE. 

Dat's no laughin' matter. {Sadtg.) 

Susan {comes up to liim). 
She dun dat to cool de ardor of your affection. She (bin 
tole me dat you dun give me de cold shoulder. 

Abe. 
I neber did! My feel in 's for you nelier was so warm. Do 
ye like me, Susannah? {Both standing C. shonlder to shout- 
der.) 

Susan. 



Abe. 

Susan. 

Abe. 

Susan. 



Purty well, Abe. 

How much? 

Oh, 'er lot! 

How'd you like to— 

Oh, Abe! 

Abe. 
How'd you know what T'se gwine to say? 

Susan, 
I knowed. 

Abe. 
Will you marry me? 

Susan. 
I reckon. 



61 

Abe, 
Don't want yon to "reckon." Want yon to many me. 

SuyAjsi {archly). 
When? 

Abe. 
'Bout two years. 

Susan {pouting, turns down R.}. 
You don't like me, Abe. 

Abe. 
Yes, I do — a heap ! Why don 't 1 1 

Susan. 
i3en you wouldn't ask me to wait two years. {Jack Rose 
'passes window C.) 

Abe. 
I'se poor, Susannah, very poor. 1 got to earn de money 
fust. {Enter Jack unseen by them. L. door; carries school- 
books in strap. Closes door softly.) 

Abe. 
Won't you wait for me, Susannah? 

Susan. 
I'll wait for you forever, Abe. {Embraces him.) 

Jack {aside, up stage). 
Tliat's what Azalie said to me. 

Abe. 
I want to build up a little home for you first, Susannah. 

Jack {comes down C). 
That's right, Al)e. No man ought to marry a girl till he 
can give her a home. 

Abe. 
Cullud boy like me hab a mighty hard row to hoe. {Susan- 
nali fixes table R.) 

Jack {crosses to R C). 
That's a fact, Abe. I've had my su])])er, Susannah. So 
you want to marry Abe? 

Susan. 

Y^es, Mr. Jack, only 

Jack. 
Only you don't want to wait two years. Well, look hyar. 
This plantation is on my hands. Before the war, when Colonel 
Briarson lived hyar, 'twas considered a mighty fine property. 
Since then it's been let run down — bad no care. Mark Briar- 
son mortgaged it and I bought it in at the foreclosure sale. 
I've been thinking about going up north to live. 
Abe {very attentively). 
Yas, sah. 

Jack. 
How would you like to work the i>lace on shares for me? 

Abe. 
I'd make it pay you, sah. 



62 

Jack. 
To-morrow 'II bo tlie first of .January. iMai'ry Susannah 
and begin with the New Year. 

Mr. Kose, you take my breatli away. 

Susan. 
What '11 Mammy say? 

Jack. 
I'll fix that. 

Susan. 
Mr. Jack, you'se de Imlliest man! (lolly! Now, if I could 
only go to dat ball — — 

Jack. 
What's to hinder? 

Susan. 
Mammy. 

Jack (crosses to B. to mantel). 
Trot along. I'll fix that. {At fireplace.) 

Susan. 
Come for me in half hour, Abe. (Pushes hhn over chair 
L.) 

Abe (geAs up, goes to door. At door L., deep emotion). 
Mr. Rose, I wish you a ha|)i)y New Year. 

Jack. 
Same to you, Abe. (Susannah Jxisses Ahe at door.) 

Abe. 
Yum! Yum! diocolate creams! (E.rit L.) 

Susan. 
I must run home an' get ready. (Gets .^^liairl and hat.) 

Jack. 
The students give a reception at the Academy to-night. 
The C^ommittee forgot to send me an invitation. Reckon T 
better go along with vou an' x\be. 

Susan (at door R. 2 E.). 
Oh, dey's all cullud folks at our party, Mr. Jack. Yu'd be 
out o' place dab! (Exit R. 2 E. Music. Plaintive.) 

Jack (solus). 
Out o' place ! Been raised white; colored folks don't want 
me. Been called "black" and white folks won't have me. 
Yes, I reckon I'm out o' place. (Gets old cavalrg sirord whieh 
stands in corner of fireplace, draws it from scahhard.) This 
was Colonel Briarson's sword. He drew this in defense of 
slavery. Thought it was right. But what a curse to both 
races it has been! How it has struck me down! (Places 
sword against mantel R.) The Colonel sleeps out yonder in 
the meadow. I can see his grave from this window. Some- 
thing tells me I am his son. (Goes np R. C.) Things are in 
a ]iowerful snarl with me. You don't feel it sleepin' out thar 
under the snow, but I feel it hvar in vour house where I'm an 



63 

outcast. Sure enough, riches don't always bring happiness. 
My cabin home on Piney Hidge was rough, and I was poor, 
l)ut I was happy there. 'Pears like I can see the steep gray 
ledges now and hear the wail of the snipe flyin' down the 
ravine. I want to go back tliar. I'm homesick, and I've got 
no home. {Turns and lenns head over stair rail.) (Asalie 
passes window; knocks lightly at door, then softly enters at 
close of speech.) 

AZALTE (C). 



Jack! 

Why — x\zalie ! 

I knocked. 



Jack {turns). 

AZALIE. 



.Jack {places chair). 
I didn't hear you. Sit liyar by the fire, {tihc sJiakes her 
head.) You must be cold. 

AzALTE {crosses and sits L. of table R.). 
Father tells me you're going away. 

Jack. 
Yes. 

AZALIE. 

Up north. 

Jack. 
For good. 

AzALiE {rises). 
Do you think that's right? 

Jack. 
It's best. {Turns to (I) 

Azai.ik {ayilatcd, crosses to C). 
Must we give u]) all ho])e'? I can't! I can't! {(Uosses to 
L. G.) 

Jack (C). 
Listen, Azalie! To-day a fellow-student called me a 
"nigger." I knocked him down. The Princii)al of the Acad- 
emy expelled me. It's come to this. I'm black till I'm proved 
white. We can't afford to waste our lives in hunting u]) 
]U'Oofs. I can't tie you down to that chance. 
Azalie {sits chair L. C). 
If Cindy Lane would only s])eak. 

Jack, 
She did speak the night Briarson stole my horse. It saved 
my life. It convinced Zeb Lane, but that weren't enough to 
convince the iworld. Cindy fell in a swoon that night, and 
when she came to her reason was gone. The doctors say it 
may never return. Briarson 's gone. Dagmar sticks to her 
story. {Takes out dead rose from breast pocket,) When you 
threw me this flower I said I'd come back for you sure. I was 
full of hopes that day. They're dead, like the rose. {Lets 
his hand fall.) 



64 

AzALiE {unpHlsively approaclies hlni). 
1 love you! 1 will not give up you! I will uot give you 
up! 

Jack. 
You're the daughter of the Governor of Tennessee. I'm — 
the world calls me Dagniar's son. 

AzALiE {till' US unatj L.). 
I know — I know. {Holds out Itaiid.) I only came to sa\ 
' ' good-bye. ' ' 

Jack. 
Not hyar — not hyar! I'll walk along home with you. 
{Opens door for her. They exeunt L. Musie ehanges. Entei 
Dagmar R. Looks around.) 

Dagmak. 
Dah's no one lieali. Come in. {Fitter Mark Br'uusoH R.) 
Mark {goes to door L., opens it, looking after Jack and 
• Azalle.) 

If T die for it, I'll keep them apart. 

Dagmak. 
You'se taken you life in your own hands, Mark Briarson. 
{Ahe Moonlight appears txuk of ivindoir.) 

Abe. 
Golly! {AIjc disappears.) 

Dagmak. 
Whodah? {Goes to irindoir C.) No1)ody. How dare you 
conie hack lieah, boy l 

^Iakk {eouies doirn //. crosses li.). 
A man will dai-e tlie devil for money. 

Dagmak {at sideboard L.). 
1 don't believe dah's money heah"? 

Makk. 
No? {Picks u J) suord at fireplace. Laughs. Dagmar gets 
bottle of ivhisky at sideboard.) T tell you, I didn't sink all T 
got from the bank in my speculations, and T wasn't the idiot to 
])ack it all away with the cliances ten to one against my escape. 
No indeedy! t determined if they caught me they'd get none 
of my booty. So I hid it here. {Strikes fireplace nith suord.) 
Cached it like the miners do their gold. 

Dagmak (L. C). 
Dey'll cotch you sure. {Coming to table R.) {Briarson 
takes a drink. During following scene he works at bricks of 
fireplace with suord and drinks at intervals. Dagmar drinks 
often, holding bottle all the time.) 

Mark. 
If they capture me, I want you to swear never to reveal 
who I am? 

Dagmar {scornfully ; both drink). 
Swear yourself! You'se done all de talkin'. boy. 

Mark. 
I? 



65 

Dag MAR. 
How about dal Lane gal i" [At buck of table.) 

Maek {seated R. of table; laughs). 
She's a lunatic. Her word don't go. It's your jaw I'm 
afraid of. 

Dagmar (Uffll/). 

My jaw? You make nie mad. {Drinks.) 

Mark. 
They may ])rihe you. 

Dagmar. 
Bribe me! Ha! 1 sees 'em; I sees 'em! Dig up your 
money, boy', and be off — an' see dat you give me lialf; but 
money's not de onliest stake E'se playin' for in dis yere game, 
{Taking another drink.) 

Mark {drinks). 
No. It's love for me, eh, mother? 

Dagmar. 
Don't you call me no ''mother." I ain't your mother. I 
never was your mother. 

Mark {stares at her). 
You told me y(m were my mother. 

Dagmar. 
I dun tole you dat to make you my dupe, my tool, chile. 

Mark {half rises at table, eagerli/)- 
Then I'm not — — 

Dagmar. 
Yes, you is; you'se a born niggah — your mother was a 
slave gal on dis yei-e ]i!antation. {Ufark sits again.) Slie was 
killed by a stray bombshell dat bust near de stable wbar we 
all was a liidin' de day of de battle out yaiider. You was a 
babby — a slee])in' in lier arms — an' you 'seaive without a 
scratch, 

1\Iark. 
Ha ! ha ! Providence! 

Dagmar. 
Humph! Dumb luck! And I grab you n]i an' carry you 
up to de mountains 'long wid de Colonel's habby, an' for what 
you think I bring you back? For love? Uh ! ura ! For re- 
venge, revenge on de Briarsons; revenge on de Deerings ! 
{Strikes fist on table.) 

Mark {intensely interested). 
On the Deerings? 

Dagmar. 
Yes, sah! Colonel Briarson loved me — you heah? He 
loved me in spite of dat I was his slave. I was beautiful dem 
days, an' he love me. {Sits L. of table.) Dere was a young 
woman dat live in de Deerin' family. De ward of de (rineral's 
father, an' de Gineral he care for her jest like she was his 
sister — an' he, dat (rineral Deerin' — he 'fluence Colonel Briar- 



66 

son to marry lier — an' she 'fhieiu-e liini to sell nie; an' he sell 
me — yon heah f De man 1 love sell me. (Rises.) Den I hate 
him! I hate dem all — an' I lives — to get even. ] made you de 
Briarson heir; den 1 aim to marry ycni to de (lineral's daugh- 
ter — marry his Azalie to a niggali; hut you fool me dah ; an' 
when she fall in love wid Jack Hose, I claim him for my son 
to part dem. An' now she's pinin' away for him an' I'se a 
standin' atween dem forever. S])ite o' his money — spite o' 
her father's power — s])ite of dem all. T laughs whar her 
heart am breakin' like mine break, years ago. T laughs whar 
you weejis, Gineral Ueerin', Gov 'nor of Tennessee — Gov 'nor. 
of Tennessee. (Shal-cs fi.st at iriiuloir C. (lud then exits ivildly 
door R. U. E.) 

Mark {rises, joins her Idiif/h, looking after her). 
No need of swearing you in. ( Wateli at the kitche)t door. 
Knock at door L. Music plaintive.) 

Mark. 
What's that? {(iocs to door L., looks throufih kci/hole.) 
A woman! Alone! (Moonlight. Opens door.) (E)iter L. 
Cindy. She goes R. to fireplace — kneels before fire.) 

Mark. 
Cindy! 

Cindy. 
Ye ain't glad to see me. But I won't trouble you. I come 
to see Jack Rose. 

Mark. 
He's not here. 

Cindy. 
I'll wait till he comes. I've got suthin' to tell him. (He 
looks inquiringlg at her.) Oh, I'm in my right mind. Ever 
since that night 1 led (,s/7.s R.) Jack Rose's boss to the obi 
cedar fer you — a savin' yer life, an' in my blindness almost 
a-costin' Jack his — I've been in darkness. Yesterday the light 
o' reason come back to me — an' dad told me wliat ye done — 
an' what ye are; an' that's what's brung me hyar to-night. 

^Iark. 
Look here, Cindy — it'll do you no good to see Jack Rose, 
and it may do me harm. You wouldn't injure me, would you! 

C^iNDY (rises). 
I don't know as I've any call to feel lovin' towards ye, Mr. 
Briarson, an' if tellin' wliat T know is goin' to hurt ye, I 
reckon ye '11 have to stand it. ((joes to R. of table.) 
Mark (sits in front of table). 
Remember your oath. 

Cindy. 
Have you remembered yourn ? The i)romises you made? 
Everv one of them broken! 

Mark. 
Well, well, it's too late to cry over it. Will you go with 
me now? 



67 

C'lNDY {tiin/.s fo fireplace). 
No. 

Mark (L. of table). 
Tlien stay and tell liiiii tliat 1 am the man your father 
swore to kill, and when you have told liim tliat 

Cindy {R. of table). 
I'll tell him that he's white and that you're black. And 
wlien I've told Jack Rose that, I'll go back home. {Turns R. 
U. aiuay froyn table.) 

Mark {crosses to fireplace, takes out tin cash box from- 
under bricks he has displaced.) 
I'll pay you more to be silent than he will to speak. See! 
I've got money here. {She turns away to R. C, passing back 
of table.) More money than you ever dreamed of. 

Cindy {stands up C). 
T ain't a sharin' with thieves. 

AIark {R. C, following her a hit). 
We'll go away together to-night, and I'll make up to you 
for my neglect. 

Cindy. 
(Jan you make up to me for^the heart break? Can yer 
make up for the shame you've heaped ui)on me! I don't want 
your money; it 'ud scorch my lingers. 1 don't want yer love; 
it has branded my soul. {Moves down L. C. a bit.) 

Mark. 
Cindy, I'll take you u}) north. I'll marry you. Why, you 
used to say you'd rather be my wife than own all Tennessee. 

Cindy {going to L. C). 

An' now I wouldn't be your wife if you could give me the 
whole world. 

Mark {up back C, desperately). 

My God! Don't you understand! If I'm found here it's 
all up with me. ] should have been away an hour ago. You 
don't want to send me to prison, do you? Come with me, 
Cindy. I'll be good to you. Your life shall be as happy as 
love can make it. Think! If you refuse we are separated 
forever. I know I've wronged you, but you love me still — love 
me too well to want revenge. 

Cindy {turns C). 
Yer riglit. I don't want revenge. I want justice. {Mark 
gives way a bit to R.) Ye trampled me under yer feet as ye'd 
tread a dead leaf inter the dust of the mountain road, an' I 
loved you through it all; but when ye'd tried to throw yer 
guilt on an innocent man, an' him the only friend I had, I 
knew 'at ther time fer love an' silence was past — an' I come 
down hyar to give his name an' the gal he loves l)ack to (\^\- 
onel Briarson's son. {Eriter Dagmar R. door.) 



6S 

Mark {advdncas to her slonlij (uul (/cts (tromul to L. of 
her.) 
Oh, you're set on that, are yon f {I)<i(/in<n- U. 2 E. (onics 
do urn.) 

Mark (C). 
We'll see — we'll see! {Advances threateningly. Dagmar 
pinions Cindy from behind. Struggle. Drags her to stair- 
case. Talking diU'ing business.) 

Lock her up in the loft — gag her — tie her. {Crosses to 
R.) 

Dagmar. 
Oonie heah, yon! Come along! {Dragging Iter up stairs.) 
{Enter Jack, left; slants door, locks it and, takes out key.) 

Cindy {breaks airaii front Da(/u}(ir, irho (iocs to Mark 
R.). 
Jack! Jack! {Runs to him, clings to liiiii.) 

Jack. 
Cindy! Ye know me! Yer reason has come back! 
{Laughs.) I nevei' was so glad to see anybody in all my life. 
{Mark runs u-ith cash box to door L.) 

Jack {to Mark). 
I locked that dooi', mister. 

Dagmar. 
Run, boy! run through <le kitchen! [Mark rushes to door 
R., finds door closed.) 

Jack. 
I had Abe Moonlight lock that door. He told me you all 
was here. {Calls.) That vou out there, Abe? 
Abe (off R. U. E.). 
Dat's me, sah ! 

Dagmar {savagely). 
Lemme out dah ! T smash de door! {Lifts chair to strike 
door.) 

Jack {calls). 
Got that hickory cane handv, Abe? 

Abe '{off). 
Yes, sah : 

Jack {calls). 
Anybody tries to get by, you know your orders! 

Abe {off). 
Crack 'em on de head, sah! {In high, slow, clear voiee.) 

Jack. 
I reckon you all better stay awhile. Sit down and make 
yourself to home. I'm ]iowerful glad to see you, Mr. — What's- 
your-name ? 

Dagmar {above fable R.; Mark R. of table). 
His name's Mark Briarson. 

CmBY {at C). 
Don't call him that — his name air stolen like the money he 



air lioldin' iu bis liaiids. Tliat's wliat T come liyar to tell yon 
to-night, Jack. Thar's tlie man iiiy rathei" ought to sljoot — 
you know wliat tiiat proves! 

Jack. 
It proves that he's the white uigger. (L. C.) 

Mark. 

She's crazy! Her story's all a 

.Jack {breaking in). 
Hold on there! Don't you contradict a lady. You're 
liable to get hurt here. 

Mark {desperately). 

Well, suppose her story is true? Admit 

Dagmar {breaking in). 
Admit nothin ', boy ! 

Mark {triumphan tig). 
I say, admit I've got black blood in me — does that prove 
that you're not Dagmar 's son? Not by a long shot. She 
doesn't claim me. Do you? I'm not her son — she won't say 
so — will you? No! 

Dagmar. 
Never 1 

Mark. 
You're his mother? (Points to Jack.) 

Dagmar. 
Reckon a mother know her own child. 

Jack. 
I reckon! A precious pair o' conspirators you air! What 
you doing in my house — coniin' liyar like a thief in the nigiit ? 
What you got there — ^oh ! that old cash box. Better open it 
and see what's inside. Mebbe vou won't hug it so tight. 
(L. C.) 

Mark {opens box at tabic R.). 
Ashes and old papers! 

Jack. 
I turned the money over to the bank. I put the box back 
under the bricks — thought likely you'd call for it some time, 
an' I didn't want to disappoint you. 

Dagmar {to Mark). 
Run fei' it, boy — out de window ! 

Mark {starts, picks up sword, which he holds behind 
him, at first). 

Jack {intercepts). 
What's ver Imrrv! ((7.) 

Mark.— (/?. of C.) 
I'm going out of that window — and I'm going right off, 
you understand. {Menacing with sword.) 

Jack. — (L. of C. Steps aside.) 
Why, certainly. If you want to get mad an' run away like 
that, I don't want to liinder you. {Jack turns and Mark circles 



70 

around him to L. of C. Marh- ntshes to irindoir C, draws 
hack cHrtains, discovar'mg RiiIjc Holler standing in full moon- 
lifjlif, rifle in hand. Mark stands as if petrified.) 

Jack.—{r. a.) 

What's tlie matter? Thouglit you was in such a hurry. 
Oh, yes; I forget to tell you. There's a friend of yours out 

there waitin' for you 

Mark. — {Drops t)ehind curtains iii great fear.) 
Don't let him see me! Don't let him see me! 

Jack. 
Why not I {Calls out n-indou\) Hello, there, Kube Hol- 
ler! Don't stay out there in the cokl. Come inside and warm 
yourself. He's comin' 'round to the door. Here, Cindy; 
here's the key. {Cindy crosses to door L.) 
Mark.— (IFiki fear.) 
Don't let him in ! Don't let him in ! He'll kill me ! kill me ! 
{Down C. on floor.) 

Jack. 
Shouldn't wonder. He's been trackin' you over the hills 
through the snow for two days now. He's got a bullet in his 
rifle for you. He told me so. He's took his oath to break 
your heart with that bullet, like you broke the heart of the 
girl he loved. {Knock at door L.) 

Jack. 
Unlock the door, Cindy. 

Mark. 
Don't! for God's sake, don't! 

Jack. 
Turn the key, Cindy. 

Cindy. 
I can't, Jack; I can't. 1 don't love him any more, but J 
can't open the door. {Turns up L, tearing keg in door.) 

Jack. 
And there's the girl you wronged. U you'd stood by her, 
her love would have saved you. But it's too late. 
.J AC K . — ( Ru b e knocks again. ) 
Justice has come fer ve. {Jack turns to nnlock door.) 

Mark.— (C\) 
No, no ! Save me ! You can save me ! 

Jack. — {Coming to Mark at C.) 
Save you? What hev you ever done fer me that I have 
any call to help you now? You stole my name — robbed me of 
my place in life — parted me forever from the girl I love — 
poisoned Cindy's father with lies and left me up in the moun- 
tains that night at Piney Ridge to be riddled with bullets — 
why shouldn't I open the door? {Wrests sword from, Mark 
and turns to door L.) 

Rube. — ( Knocks aga in.) 

Mark. 

What do you want of me — I'll do anything you say 



71 

DAGMAli. 

Hold your tongue. 

Jack. 

You know what I want — out with it — (juick ! {Coming to 
Mark C.) 

Dagmar, 
Keep you head, boy. 

Jack. 
Who's the son of Colonel Briarson? 

Mark. 
You are — you are ! 

Jack. 
Her story's all a lie, then? 

Mark. 
Yes, yes. She stole you when you was a baby and ])ut me 
in your place. 

Jack. 
On your oath! 

Makk.---(0;/ knee cliffcliiitf/ J(ic/,\ then falfs.) 
On my oath. 

Dagmar. — (0 rcr ISIark. ) 
You didn't have to tell — dey dassent shoot you — you fool 

nigger 

Jack. 
That's what he is, eh! You admit it, too! 

Jack. — {Opening door.) 
That's all T wanted. C^ome in, folks. {E titer Rube with 
rife, foUoired J>y (ieiierdl and Azalic, < iiizcus. Enter Ahe 
and Sheriff 1*. I'. E. Hiihc, coiniiKi fonard Mark, slopped Jiij 
Jaek L. C.) 

Mark.— (7?. ('.) 
Don't let him shoot me! 

Jack.— (.4f L. C.) 
Course not; only did that to make you talk. Governor, I 
reckon this ])roof clinches it. 

AzALiE. — {Coming to Jaek C.) 
Jack ! 

General Deering. — {Crosses to /?. — to Briarson.) 
You are under arrest. 

Mark. — {Drops eash box.) 
Damn you all ! {Rushes up staireasc, opens window to 
Ixdeony. General rushes up stage to targe window C, open- 
ing it.) 

General. 
Halt that man I {Calls out.) Stop him — if you have to do 
it with a bullet! {Rife shot off stage. Mark f(dls out win- 
dow R. C. Short pause.) 

Zeb Lane. — {Appears at window C, rifle in hand.) 
Air my gal Cindy thar with you 'uns ? {Azelie buries faee 
on Jack's shoulder C, Cindy stands with clasped hands 
L C ) 

CURTAIN. 



Ali 



/ 



AT 

PINEY 
RIDGE 



A PLAY OFTENNESEE LIFE IN FOUR ACTS 



DAVID K. HIGGINS 



Copyright 1906, by 

DjAVID K. HIGGIN;s 

All Rights Reserved 



Two Copies Received 

DEC 26 1906 

OlASS ,/^ XXc.No. ' 




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